Synthetic and non-synthetic or conventional oils may both be called oil, however, that is where their similarities end. Synthetic oil outperforms non-synthetic oil by providing your vehicle with more protection all around. Some ways that synthetic takes the gold in performance include:

• Keeps your engine cleaner
• Offers greater engine wear protections
• Flow better in low temperatures
• Greater protection in high temperatures
• Protects critical turbocharger parts

Although synthetic oils overall provide better protection, keep in mind that not all synthetic oils are created equal. Ask us about the best synthetic oil for your car!

When you are ready for your Idaho Falls oil change you’ll need to know what oil weight to get. Oil weight, or viscosity, is the oil’s resistance to flow or, in layman’s terms, the speed of flow as measured through a visco-meter. Thicker oils will flow more slowly. Simply put, the higher the viscosity number, the thicker the oil, and the slower the flow. You’ll be able to find your vehicles oil recommendation in your owner’s manual.

Clean oil is key for a smooth running engine. When oil is left unfiltered it can become saturated with hard particles that will begin to wear the surfaces inside your engine. Dirty oil can lead to wear in the oil pump’s components and damage the important surfaces of your engine.

The engine’s oil pump moves the oil through the filter, dirty oil is pushed under pressure through the synthetic fibers that make up the filtration, and then the oil re-enters the engine.

Experts report that a simple oil change is the best preventative maintenance car owners can do. But how often should your vehicle get an oil change? 3,000 miles is a common suggestion. However, many newer owner manuals will say that it is acceptable to wait 5,000 miles between oil changes. 

Consumer Reports have found no noticeable difference in engine protection between waiting 3,000 or 7,500 miles. 

When you are deciding when it is time for your next Idaho Falls oil change it is important to consider the conditions you drive your vehicle in. Cars that are constantly racing from stoplight to stoplight, driving in extreme heat, towing other vehicles or driving at high altitudes qualify as severe conditions that will require more frequent oil changes. For back and forth trips to work and short weekend trips, there is really no need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. 

For your vehicle’s specific needs you will need to consult your owner’s manual and consider how your vehicle is used throughout the week.

Many people believe that the type of oil you should use in your vehicle depends on the season—in winter, they claim you should choose a thinner oil and for summer, a thicker one.

Is this really true?

Modern advancements in motor oil have made it possible for vehicles to run a single type of motor oil no matter the season—it’ll work just fine if it’s below zero or over 90 degrees. Gone are the days when people would purchase thin single-grade motor oil which ran better in the winter, only to swap it out for a thicker grade in the summer.

Many modern-day motor oils are multi-grade, which is to say, multi-viscosity. Unlike older single-grade motor oils, multi-grades expand in the heat and shrink in the cold—they perform a dual purpose and can keep your vehicle running smoothly year-round.

An Idaho Falls oil change at C&S Auto Repair can include these multi-grades to keep you up and running more smoothly and for a longer time.

Your engine consists of many moving parts. Naturally, this is going to create a lot of friction, which in turn creates heat, which in turn creates damage.

The solution to this problem is oil. It provides the lubrication your engine’s parts need to function without overheating.

Why Does Engine Oil Have To Be Replaced?

Getting an Idaho Falls oil change is a good feeling—your engine has the juice it needs and it’s ready to drive smoothly again.

But this doesn’t last. Over time, your oil is going to become dirty, sludgy, and saturated with harsh particles. This corrosive mixture can wreak havoc on your engine.

Remember: oil’s purpose is to lubricate the fast-moving parts of your engine and keep the heat down. When your oil has gone bad, it actually works as a heat-insulator—that’s the opposite of what you want. Not to mention it also “gums up the works”—it can make your engine work twice as hard for half the output.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?

Eventually, old oil is going to start to destroy your engine—parts will begin to corrode, warp, and wear out. 

This destructive situation ultimately culminates in your engine overheating, which basically means death for your engine.

An overheated engine is a nightmare, and often so expensive that many people who find themselves in this situation decide to scrap their vehicle entirely and purchase a new one.

Don’t let that happen! An Idaho Falls oil change at our shop is far less expensive.

With training, education, and plenty of years of experience, we pride ourselves on thorough, consistent work and excellent customer communication. Our auto repair and maintenance staff will get the job done quickly.

If you need an Idaho Falls oil change, don’t wait for things to get bad—bring in your vehicle, we’ll swap out the crud with fresh oil that will keep your vehicle running smoothly again.