What does an oil change service include?

An oil change is one of the most vital regular maintenance tasks for keeping your vehicle running smoothly. While it may seem like a simple service, there is more involved than simply draining and filling the oil. An oil change service usually includes the following parts:

1. Draining the Old Oil: The mechanic will remove the old, dirty engine oil by draining it from the oil pan. This is done by unscrewing the oil drain plug, allowing the old oil to flow out.
2. Replacing the Oil Filter: The old oil filter, which traps debris and contaminants, has been removed and replaced with a new one. A clean filter ensures that the new oil stays cleaner for longer.
3. Adding New Oil: The appropriate type and amount of new oil are added based on your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. This can be a conventional, synthetic blend, or full synthetic oil.
4. Inspection of Key Parts: Many oil change services include a quick inspection of other parts of your vehicle, such as:
• Fluid levels (coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid)
• Belts and hoses
• Tire pressure
• Air filter (sometimes checked and replaced if compulsory)
5. Lubrication of Chassis Parts (if applicable): On some older vehicles or specific models, suspension components like ball joints, tie rods, and U-joints may require lubrication. This step is often skipped for newer cars, as they have sealed parts.
6. Resetting the Oil Change Indicator: For cars with an oil life monitor or dashboard indicator, the mechanic will reset the oil change reminder light so that it accurately tracks your next service interval.

Wondering about what does oil change service include? Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about oil change coupons and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What happens if you don't get your oil changed?

Regularly changing your car's oil is crucial for its health and long life. Engine oil lubricates the moving components within the engine, reducing friction and preventing excessive wear and tear. Over time, oil breaks down and becomes less effective at lubricating, cleaning, and cooling the engine. If you neglect to change your oil, several negative consequences may occur:

1. Increased engine wear: Without fresh oil, the engine parts will experience increased friction, leading to accelerated wear and potential damage.
2. Decreased engine performance: Old, dirty oil can’t effectively lubricate the engine, which can lead to decreased performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and sluggish acceleration.
3. Overheating: Engine oil also helps to dissipate heat generated by the engine. Without proper lubrication and cooling, the engine can overheat, potentially causing serious damage or even engine failure.
4. Buildup of sludge and contaminants: Over time, oil accumulates dirt, debris, and contaminants. If not changed regularly, this buildup can form sludge, which can clog the engine's passages and lead to reduced efficiency and increased wear.
5. Potential for engine failure: Eventually, neglecting oil changes can lead to catastrophic engine failure, requiring expensive repairs or even engine replacement.

Overall, regular oil changes are a relatively simple and inexpensive maintenance task that can greatly extend the life of your vehicle's engine and help prevent expensive repairs down the road. It's normally recommended to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for oil change intervals, which usually range from every 3,000 to 10,000 miles depending on factors such as driving styles, vehicle age, and type of oil used.

Wondering about what happens if you don't get your oil changed? Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about oil change coupons and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

When should you get your oil changed?

In a perfect world, the oil in your engine would last for ages, and you'd never have a problem with it. But no matter how good your engine looks from the outside or how well-maintained it seems, there are always signs that things could be better. Signs that you need your oil changed.

Over time, these warnings can become more persistent, and then you notice an unusual noise from your engine. You might also see a drop in performance, smoke, or steam coming out of the side of your car. At this point, you realize that something needs to be done.

Oil changes are fairly easy to perform, and the most reliable sources for auto engines nowadays are used car dealerships and repair shops. If you will get your oil changed elsewhere, take precautions first: Carry a half-gallon with you so that if you need it for any reason (like filling a radiator), it will be available as quickly as possible. You will also need some oil change coupons for the oil change itself.

Unlike auto repair projects, you normally won't need to replace any parts. An oil change is generally a matter of topping up your engine with fresh new oil and ensuring all the old stuff is removed from within your engine. You'll need to remove a few components from the engine and eliminate what's already inside it. But don't worry: It requires only basic tools. And if you've never done an oil change on your car, we'll be right here with you every step of the way.

When should you get your oil changed? It's best to have it done at the beginning of the month before you start driving again after a weekend. Once the job is done, your engine will be protected from harm for much longer than waiting until your oil change cycle ends. Oil changes are done anywhere, but finding the right shop with free oil change coupons is important if you need help doing it yourself. Many people make the mistake of paying large sums of money to mechanics who do a poor job because they don't know any better. So be sure to look for a reputable shop before bringing your car in for service.

Need to know more about when should you get your oil changed?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive for more information about oil change coupons and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

 

How Do You Know If You Need An Oil Change?

If you’re a new vehicle driver, you may be asking how do you know if you need an oil change?  There is no easy answer.  In years past, the normal answer used to be every 3 months, or 3K miles, whichever came first.  With the advancement of technology in the automotive industry, this advice is obsolete.  There is a lot of debate among automotive specialists about the right interval for oil changes.  Many auto mechanics still recommend the 3,000-mile oil change.  But, with today’s latest engines, certain types of high-quality synthetic oils can go for many more miles, possibly as many as 10,000. 

Although you may be able to go more miles between oil changes, you will find it beneficial to schedule oil changes on a regular basis.  This is the time that your auto mechanic will check out the condition of other fluids, plus other parts and systems that are subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as hoses, shocks, and brakes. 

Do much researches before deciding on an oil-change interval for your vehicle?  Check out the recommended interval in your owner’s manual and also talk with your auto mechanic.  How you answer the 3 questions below will help you in making a decision:

• What type of oil do you use? 
• How old is your car and what is the make and model? 
• Is your driving “normal”?

Remember to ask your auto repair shop if they offer oil change coupons.  Many auto shops offer these coupons so that their customers find it more affordable to take good care of their cars.

Are you wondering how do you know if you need an oil change?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about their oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Do You Know If You Need Your Oil Changed?

Changing the oil in your car is generally a quick and relatively inexpensive service. Some drivers underestimate what timely oil changes can do for their car.  Good, clean oil increases the performance level and extends the life of the engine.  However, over time, the fluid breaks down and becomes ineffective in doing its job. So why do so many people procrastinate when it comes to oil changes?

How do you know if you need your oil changed?  A lot of drivers rely solely on mileage, but there are other factors to consider as well, such as the quality of the oil, the age of the car and how the car is driven. 

Here are 6 common signs that it’s time for an oil change:

1. Oil Change Light -- The oil change light in your car will illuminate when there’s not enough oil in the system so check the dipstick. The check engine light will illuminate for extreme issues, warning that the engine is at risk of damage.
2. Engine Noise and Knocking -- Oil provides a protective layer between engine parts, avoiding metal-to-metal contact and keeping the engine quiet. If the oil has lost its effectiveness, you may hear knocking sounds indicating that the engine is not being lubricated correctly.
3. Dark, Dirty Oil -- Clean oil is amber in color and slightly translucent. Over time, it becomes filled with particles collected from the engine and turns darker. It’s not obvious when this begins to happen, so check the oil at least once a month. If you cannot see the dipstick through the oil, it is time for an oil change.
4. Oil Smell Inside the Car -- If you smell oil inside the car, it can often signify an oil leak. If you also smell gas or exhaust fumes, the engine may be overheating. 
5. Exhaust Smoke -- Some translucent vapor will always come out of the muffler, but if this changes to smoke, it’s time for an engine check-up. you may have faulty engine parts or an oil leak.
6. Excessive Mileage -- If you travel a lot of miles on a regular basis you may want oil change sooner than the normal schedule.  Check your owner’s manual for specific guidelines.

Fresh, clean oil optimizes your vehicle’s performance by lubricating parts and keeping the engine clean and healthy as well as preventing excessive wear and tear on your engine, resulting in fewer repairs down the road.

Are you wondering how do you know if you need your oil changed?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about how to find their oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Do you Know How Often Do You Really Need An Oil Change?

This is the controversial question going around in the automotive industry these days.  The most important thing to remember is that a simple oil change is the most cost-effective and vital maintenance needed to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.  Unfortunately, many auto shops often see vehicles come in with damaged engines because their owners went too long between changes, either because they didn’t know what oil to use or they thought they were saving money.  However, the repair for engine damage caused by dirty oil is far more costly than paying for regular oil changes, especially as many auto shops offer oil change coupons.

Here are five basic facts vehicle owners should know about oil changes:

1. The purpose of oil. Oil lubricates the parts of the engine so they don’t grind against each other; keeps the engine from overheating; and carries away dirt, dust, and other contaminants that would otherwise clog up the engine parts.
2. The right interval. The oil change interval required for your vehicle will vary depends on its age, the type of oil used, and your driving conditions. The 3,000-mile interval is not as relevant as in years gone by.  With today’s upgraded oils, the interval for most engines is now between 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or you could go as far as 15,000 miles if you use full synthetic oil.  
3. The dash warning light. Some dash lights are programmed to come on automatically at 3,000-5,000 miles after the last oil change. In some cars, that light might not come on until the engine is already too low on oil so don’t rely on the dash warning light.
4. Temperature matters. Certain motor oils are designed to be thinner when cold and more viscous when hot. The Society of Automotive Engineers has developed designations that indicate the viscosity of the oil, for example, 10-30W oil.  The "10" refers to the lower viscosity when the engine is cold. The "30W" refers to the higher viscosity when the engine is hot and running generally.   
5. Conventional, premium, and synthetic oils. Certain high-tech engines require synthetic oils, while more mainstream engines normally use conventional oils. Premium oils have extra additives that may be useful for special driving needs. Blends that combine synthetic and premium conventional oils are regularly used for trucks and SUVs.

Follow your owner’s manual as to what type of oil is best for your vehicle and the appropriate mileage interval, or asks your mechanic for advice.

Looking for oil change coupons?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about how often do you really need an oil change and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding areas.