Oil, Lube, and Filter Services
Keeping your car in smooth working order is crucial not only for getting to and from the important places in your life but also to avoid costly major repairs down the road. At C&S Auto Repair we know that keeping up with your local Idaho Falls oil change services is a key part of helping your car maintain its peak performance. Read on for tips and professional recommendations
Synthetic Vs. Non-Synthetic Oil
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
Oil Weights and What They Mean
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.
The Importance of Your Oil Filter
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.
How Long Between Oil Changes, What the Experts Say
Experts report that a simple oil change is the best preventative maintenance car owners can do. But how often should you 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 the vehicle is drives 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.
Oil and Your Engine
Why is oil so important? Motor oil is a lubricant for your engine. Inside your engine parts move together very quickly, without oil massive amounts of heat would build from all the friction. Without oil to lubricate these moving parts, important energy would be wasted from the friction turning the kinetic energy to heat and the engine could over heat.