Oil Change: Don’t Let Misconceptions Damage Your Car

One of the most basic and inexpensive things you can do to keep your car running ideally is to be sure to get a regular oil change. A lot of people put off or postpone having this done because of any of a number of reasons. For some it is inconvenient and they think it will take too long out of their day. Other people don’t want to get up-sold on services or parts they don’t need. The fact is both of these things are misconceptions about getting your car serviced and in reality it is one of the most important things you can do.

An oil change is really only a minor inconvenience. Depending on what exactly needs to be done it usually takes somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes to complete but on rare occasion it can take upwards of an hour. Shops often give slightly longer estimates to provide themselves some leeway but if they get right to it and nothing else needs to be replaced you should be in and out in no time.

To ensure the fastest most reliable service be sure to go to a reputable and well-regarded place that primarily does quick lube jobs. For many people the only time they have free is in the afternoons or evenings and as such many places stay open late into the day to accommodate working people. They also almost always have a comfortable waiting area in which you are able to sit and read magazines or watch them work on your car through the window. However, for busy people a better use of the time is to bring any work you may have with you. By doing that you are not “wasting your time” and you can think of the time as an opportunity to work uninterrupted.

The second concern people have is that the shop is overcharging them for their oil change or trying to sell them on services they don’t need. The truth is that while occasionally you will get an unsavory person trying to swindle you, most technicians are just trying to look out for your best interest. While performing your oil change they will check your other fluids and your battery and they may also look at the condition of your windshield wipers to see if they need replacing. A good shop will always check with you first before replacing or repairing anything outside the agreed upon maintenance. If they ask and you do not want to have it done, or you aren’t sure it needs to be done, just say so. A quality shop will want to make a lifetime customer out of you rather than make a quick buck on one oil change.