Oil Change: What Additional Services Are Included?

When you get an oil change, you typically get more than just this service. Most shops include a little more than new fluids and a new filter for your car. Find out what many businesses do for your car when they complete this service.

Of course, you can expect a new filter that fits your car perfectly. You will also get new fluids to take the place of the old sludge that is likely now in your engine. This can make the car run better and even get better gas mileage. The result is definitely worth taking your vehicle in to a professional for servicing. This is especially true if you are not sure what kind of fluid to put in your auto, as synthetic is just one of a few options, and most mechanics can tell you which is best for your vehicle.

Once the oil has been changed, you can expect to get the tired rotated as a service that is included in the price you pay. This is an important task because it helps ensure that your tires wear evenly. You need to occasionally rotate them to keep one or two of them from becoming really worn compared to the others. Some shops also balance them, which can eliminate any vibration that is caused by an imbalance.

Right around the time that mechanics rotate the tires, they will also likely check the pressure inside. If your tires are too low or too full, you risk not getting the best gas mileage and even getting a tire blowout on the freeway. At the very least, not checking the pressure can ruin each tire, while at the worst, neglecting to do so can be dangerous for you.

An additional offer that most mechanics provide during an oil change is a quick inspection. This means the mechanic checks several areas of the engine to make sure everything looks good at first glance. He or she may also top off all the fluids, depending on the shop.

In the end, you will likely know right after the oil change whether there is anything wrong with your car. While this is not a comprehensive check, it is unlikely that most mechanics will miss any major issues while looking over your vehicle.

If you want all of these services, you will need to pay a professional to switch out old fluids in your vehicle for new ones. Unless you know how to perform all these services yourself, you will not get the same results when you switch out the fluids on your own. Therefore, it is often worth your money to pay an expert.