Whether it’s a much-needed upgrade or your first new car, taking care of your vehicle the right way will help it last for years and miles to come. Standard maintenance almost every driver knows to keep up with is the oil change. But if you just got your car, how soon does it need an oil change anyways? We’ll walk you through when to get a first oil change and what type of motor oil makes sense for your vehicle.
WHY OIL CHANGES ARE IMPORTANT
Engine oil plays an important role in ensuring your vehicle’s engine runs smoothly over time. Motor oil helps your engine perform at its best by keeping all its moving parts lubricated. Old motor oil can strain the moving parts in your engine and eventually cause pieces to stick or get damaged. But if you keep up with regular oil changes, you can help protect your engine from unnecessary wear and tear.
WHEN TO GET A FIRST OIL CHANGE
You should change out motor oil when it is old or degraded. Each vehicle has their own recommended maintenance intervals and many rely on onboard oil life monitors that attempt to track the remaining life of your engine oil. Maintenance intervals tell you when to get auto services (like oil changes or tire rotations) and check or replace auto parts based on the mileage of your vehicle. You can review your car’s printed or online owner’s manual to find more details on how often your specific vehicle needs an oil change. You can also typically view the estimated oil life remaining by checking the vehicle's driver information center or dashboard.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR OIL CHANGE SERVICE
Getting your first oil change is a straightforward and fast process. During an oil change a technician will remove and replace the oil filter, drain out the old oil, and replace it with a new motor that meets or exceeds manufacturer recommendations.. The main types of motor oil are:
CONVENTIONAL OIL
Conventional oil is ideal for drivers who put low-average mileage on their vehicle and have a car with a more standard engine design.
FULL SYNTHETIC OIL
This motor oil is typically designed to get improved performance and protection with a formula that provides a higher level of engine lubrication. Full synthetic can help an engine perform better in challenging weather conditions and help prevent oil sludge buildup, but it does cost more than conventional oil.
SYNTHETIC BLEND OIL
A synthetic blend oil is a good middle ground between conventional oil and a 100% synthetic oil. It typically provides some improved engine protection and performance benefits at a fraction of the price of full synthetic oil.
HIGH MILEAGE OIL
This type of motor oil is specially designed for vehicles with mileage over 75,000 miles. High mileage oil can help prevent issues like leaks, harmful emissions, and help regulate oil consumption as you drive.
OUR EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP
Everybody wants to keep their vehicle in just-like-new condition for as long as possible. Keeping your vehicle at its best comes down to knowing what maintenance you need and when to get it. When it’s time to check oil change service off your routine maintenance schedule, you can visit us for convenient and comprehensive care. Find your nearest Tires Plus where you can trust our auto experts to help with your car maintenance needs.
