Oil Change Coupons Do Not Change the Type of Oil to Use

Before you use oil change coupons, make sure you are going to a service center that will use the right kind of oil for your vehicle. Check your manual and ask questions so you can keep your car running at its best.

Have you ever wondered about using oil change coupons? These are a great way to save some money on your routine service. For many companies, they are offered as a way to get you in the door, so to speak, so they can turn you into a regular customer. They will change the price of your service, but the one thing they will not change is the type of oil that is best for your engine. Before you use a coupon, make sure that you will still get the quality of lubricant you need. Here is what you need to know about engine oils.

Detergent Oils

Detergent oils are oils that clean soot out of engine parts. They have the ability to suspend this soot into the lubricant, so when you use your oil change coupons and go in for service, it is removed. Soot cannot be trapped by a filter, so this is important because otherwise the soot will be traveling around your engine. Some engines, like lawnmowers, require non-detergent oils, but the oils created for passenger vehicles are all detergent.

5W30/10W30

These numbers represent the viscosity of different oils. The higher the number, the thicker the lubricant. The first number tells the viscosity when the liquid is cold, and the second tells the viscosity when it reaches operating temperature. Most passenger vehicles that are sold in the United States use 5W30 or 10W30 oils. The difference is how these oils flow when they are cold. The 5W30 varieties flow better in cold climates, so they are best to use in winter when you live somewhere that it gets cold. However 10W30 works well in warm climates. You do want to check with your owner's manual before having service. Some vehicles will require 5W30 at all times.

Now, this can be a problem when you are using oil change coupons at a service center. Many places opt for the 10W30 variety, even if you should have the 5W30 due to local conditions and the needs of your vehicle. The reason for this is because they buy their oils in bulk, and so they carry the "one size fits all" 10W30 variety. If you are concerned about your car having 5W30, inquire about this before you decide to have service there. That said, using 10W30 is not a disaster for most vehicles, even in cold climates. It will do its job. The 5W30 will just work better.

What About Brand

Brand is less of a factor when you are having this type of service. Some mechanics will recommend that you always use the same brand to stay consistent, but if you find great oil change coupons for a service center that uses a different brand, you are probably safe. One brand is going to lubricate pretty much the same way as another. If you feel that brand is important, then ask what brand they use, but otherwise, go with affordability and coupon availability when choosing a place for service.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR