Why Change Oil in my Vehicle?

The Dealer said follow the dash indicator? I read the owners manual – it says 7,500 miles or more!

Okay, let’s do one at a time, your dash light is not analyzing your oil, it is counting miles driven, trips (start up), and using a program in your vehicle’s computer making a recommendation.

The owners manual is going by normal driving, most of us don’t fall into normal, we have many short trips that do not allow the moisture to get out of the oil, this leads to Sludge formation inside your engine. So having been to several classes and based on our knowledge of most vehicles let me make a recommendation. Your vehicle, if you bought it new with 36,000 to 50,000 miles of drivetrain protection included with the purchase, as long as you change the oil some during that time frame, you will get through that mileage, but is that what YOU want? You paid $25K, $35, or more. Do you really want to get just two or three years out of that purchase with no trouble? Not our clients! They want 100,000, 200,000 miles and more.

So how do you do that? Simple Oil Manufacturers and Oil Filter Manufacturers say 3,000 – 5,000 miles with Synthetic oil is safe. You don’t use synthetic? Why not? Almost all vehicles can benefit from it. Higher mileage, cleaner engine, easier starts, just to name a few.

So almost all vehicles require synthetic oil now and thinner is happening fast. Thinner? Yes, years ago we put 10W30 in almost all vehicles, then 5W30, then 5W20, then 0W20, now we have 0W10 and 0W0 is coming. This is the weight, (viscosity) of the oil. First number is the oil cold, the Second is with engine warmed up. The thinner oil helps everything move freely cold and also is needed to keep the Camshaft, Chains and Valves from sticking. The thinner oil is part of raising the fuel economy of today’s vehicles.

The Wrong Oil will Ruin the Catalytic Converter & Engine

Lastly the Formulas change often, older vehicles need Zinc to protect certain parts in the engine, but zinc damages Catalytic Converters, (they can cost over $1,000). So, the engines were changed to stop the need for zinc. Now big problem, if you put old style oil (cheaper cost) in your new vehicle you will damage the Catalytic Converter. Put new oil in your older car and you will damage the engine! Ask this, “What am I getting put in my car when I get that $19.95 oil change?” You must use the correct oil, change it often enough and you won’t ruin your $7,000-$12,000 engine, or your Catalytic Converter and you will get long life from that vehicle. Stop by, or call Stephen or Jon and we can answer your Questions.

Oil Change Intervals, Filters and Synthetic

So let’s talk even more info on oil changes in Laurel Maryland 20723. This has changed so much over the last few years, so much so that we went back to SCHOOL! The class was taught by an Engineer from Wix Filters, they make our filters as well as original equipment filters for many GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles and many, many European and Asian car lines.

So the first subject was How and what is the vehicle used for? Manufacturers have a recommendation for when to Change oil and what type of oil to use. They List Normal, Severe and sometimes Harsh. Now we all say I drive Normal, the truth is 99.5% of us don’t! Normal includes; all trips over 10 Miles, no Idling for 1, 2, 3 minutes or longer, no heavy loads and no stop and go driving. Severe is the rest of us — Harsh is towing, heavy loads etc.

I can give you details if you come in but the bottom line is 4,600 miles is a safe change interval, regardless of what type of oil you use. YES, Synthetic is better and if the vehicle calls for Synthetic, you must use it. You can run it in most vehicles and get benefits to include longer engine life, better fuel Mileage and better cold starts. But, it is not for all vehicles, older design, high mileage, worn engines may not be able to hold this inside. We are happy to serve you with oil changes and complete car repair in Laurel, Maryland 20723 and surrounding areas like Scaggsville, Clarksville and Fulton. Call and ask Stephen for all your oil change details.

Oil Change in Laurel, Clarksville 21029, Highland 20777, Fulton 20759, Burtonsville 20866

“I just need an Oil Change”

Well 100+ auto repair shop’s can change oil. What will you get for that $19.95 or $29.95 and who will be doing it? Here, at Thoroughbred Auto Care Inc in Laurel MD that oil service will be done by an ASE Certified Master Technician with over 30-years of experience. Our Mechanics will change the oil and filter and install new seals as required. They will install the correct weight for your specific vehicle and the Correct Quantity. Did you Know? Some vehicles take as little as 3.9 quarts and some vehicles take 7, and in some cases 13. Too little or too much can cause big problems -FAST. Did you know we stock all weights and have GM’s “DEXOS in stock as well for all your oil changes in Laurel MD.