Oil Change and Inspection Appointments

Regular maintenance, including oil changes is an important part of keeping a vehicle in the best shape possible. While the engine needs to be checked, an overall inspection is often performed to get a better idea of how the car is working and if there are any problems that need to be addressed by the technician. In most cases, a service advisor will check in with a customer before the work is completed to let him or her know about the recommendations that the technician makes.

Battery:
No one wants to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a vehicle that will not start. When performing an oil change, a technician will also take a look at the battery. If it is not working properly, now is the time to have it replaced. Regular maintenance should prevent future problems and a battery that does not work is sure to be a problem.

The outside of the battery is also inspected. If there are any fluids that are sitting on the top or it is obvious that there is a problem, the technician will notice right away and be able to inform the customer. In most cases, a battery replacement may be costly but often it comes with a warranty and provides some piece of mind.

Filters:
The purpose of a filter is to keep out any contaminants of particles that could clog up different parts of a vehicle. If these filters are not replaced, it could cause problems that end up costing a vehicle owner a considerable amount in order to repair the situation. For example, the oil change filter needs to be examined and changed.

There are other filters that may need to be replaced. A technician knows how to locate each of the filters quickly as part of the overall inspection. Each replacement is a part of the vehicle's maintenance and it should not be overlooked or put off any longer than necessary.

Fluid Conditions:
Technicians also check to make sure that all of a vehicle's fluids are full. This is about more than just an oil change. Everything from transmission fluid to the windshield wiper fluid is checked and topped off. Again, this does not take a lot of time but it is an important part of keeping a vehicle in the best shape possible.

Overall Visual Inspection:
Some people look under the hood of a car and they have no idea how to tell if there is a problem. During an oil change, a technician does an overall inspection to see if anything looks out of place. It could be a hose coming loose or a fluid that is leaking from the wrong place. Either way, these issues can be examined and addressed with the customer.