Make Your Oil Change Full Service

By having the whole car looked over and fluids topped-off when going in for an oil change, you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble. Because your car, truck or van is already there, under the roof of the mechanic's shop, ask them to spend a little time checking things over. This little bit of time could save you hours down the road when you may have normally forgotten to check the tire tread, air filter or brake fluid for example.

What exactly does a full service oil change involve? Of course, it can differ from mechanic to mechanic but there are some universal things that you can expect when you sign up for a full service check-up or tune-up. Another thing to keep in mind is that every major mechanic and auto body shop is going to have something along these lines. It may be referred to by a different name, but it is all basically a detailed check-up.

One word of caution before you sign your vehicle up for one of these specialty tune-ups is to make sure you are using a trusted mechanic. Some shops are in the business of doing bad work but still charging people and will tell you that after looking over your car, the x, y or z needs to be repaired or replaced. Or, you need to spend a fortune on new filters, tires or fluids. Keep track of the last time you maintained these things so you know whether or not the mechanic is being honest or just trying to spend your money.

If you have a mechanic that you trust for lubes, then you won't have to spend time worrying about the safety of your car or wallet. You can just schedule the oil change appointment along with the full service tune-up and sit to relax. During the tune-up the mechanics will likely check the function of windshield wipers, blinkers, brake lights and other simple mechanical aspects of the car.

Then, they will top-off fluids like windshield washer, transmission and battery fluid. These things can be important and easy to over look when you are an everyday car user. You don't want to find yourself in a position where these important fluids are running low. Even after you have these fluids checked and filled on your vehicle, don't assume that they can be ignored for another three thousand miles. It is good to check them regularly to avoid mishaps.

Beyond the mechanical stuff and fluid checks and top-offs, the mechanics will likely check the tread on your tires. They are looking for uneven wear or overuse. It might be suggested to you that you rotate your tires or consider replacing them before winter. Like the other checks, the goal is safety. Worn tires can be extremely dangerous.

A full service oil change will save you money, keep your car safer and keep you on the road longer with a smooth running vehicle.