Oil changes are absolutely necessary to keep your vehicle running properly. However, you’ll see a number of other regular oil change benefits as well. Here at Kernersville Auto Center, we can get your oil change done quickly so you don’t spend all day waiting for your car. Let’s take a look at all the benefits you’ll experience by taking care of your vehicle properly.

Regular Oil Change Benefits – Car Maintenance 101

Think of oil as the lifeblood of your car. Without it, your engine will eventually seize and die. Motor oil keeps your engine lubricated, which reduces friction and heat. If you don’t have enough oil in your vehicle, your engine will overheat. The same can happen if your oil is dirty.

However, this is just one of the regular oil change benefits. When you take care of routine vehicle maintenance, you’ll also experience these advantages:

• There will be less wear and tear on your engine overall, making it last longer.
• Your engine performance will be reliable and predictable. No surprise break-downs!
• You’ll experience a small boost in gas mileage. When your engine is running at its best, it will use fuel more efficiently. As an added bonus, this means your engine is more eco-friendly.

If you’re not sure if you need an oil change, come into our shop or give us a call. Our experienced mechanics can look at your current oil and review your user manual to give you a recommendation about when to change it. Typically, most drivers need to change their oil a few times per year. Ultimately, it depends on your driving habits and how often you drive your car.

Other maintenance you’ll need includes:

• Tire rotation and repair/replacement
• Brake replacement/repair
• Changing your air filter
• Checking and flushing fluids as needed
• Wiper and light replacement as needed

We can help you develop a full car care plan. Our shop can handle all your vehicle maintenance needs.

Overdue Oil Change Symptoms and Signs

In most cases, when a shop changes your oil, they will let you know when you will be due for your next change. This will vary based on the type of oil you choose, how many miles you drive every week, your vehicle make and model, and if you drive regularly on dirt roads. However, maybe you misplaced the information or can’t remember the recommendation. Or, maybe you recently purchased the vehicle and are not sure about its maintenance history.

Either way, we can help. Some signs of an overdue oil change include:

• A low level of oil
• Your check engine light is on
• When you are idling you feel the engine shaking
• More exhaust than normal
• Weird sounds or smells coming from your engine
• Poor fuel economy
• An overheating engine
• Trouble starting your engine

If you are experiencing any of these issues, we recommend coming to our shop as soon as possible. It can be very damaging to your engine if your oil is dirty or low.

Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil

The most important thing about changing your oil is that you simply do it. No matter what type of oil you choose, it’s better for your car than dirty oil. That said, when you get your oil changed, you have two main options: synthetic oil and conventional oil. Many people choose synthetic despite its higher price tag because of the many synthetic oil change benefits.

Synthetic oil and conventional oil both contain the same base ingredient. However, synthetic oils are more highly refined. To the naked eye, these oils may look the same, but on the molecular level, synthetic oil has fewer impurities and the oil molecules better align. You can read more about the differences here.

In most cases, synthetic oil is simply the better choice. Not only does the oil perform better, but it also breaks down more slowly, so you can go longer between oil changes. Synthetic blends are also an option, especially if budget is a concern. As the name implies, they are a mixture of synthetic and conventional motor oil. You’ll get some of the benefits of synthetic oil while enjoying the lower price tag of conventional oil.

We offer a range of Havoline oils, including synthetics, synthetic blends, and conventional oil. If you aren’t sure which option is right for your vehicle, we can explain the pros and cons, as well as give you a full price break down for your car.

FAQs About Getting Oil Services in Kernersville

If you have any questions about getting an oil change or other vehicle maintenance, we would be happy to help. Here are a few commonly asked questions we here.

How much does an oil change cost?

The cost depends on how much oil your car needs and the type of oil you choose. We would be happy to give you a price quote before we start the work. Keep in mind that we also include an oil filter change as well. You should change your filter whenever you change your oil.

Can I drive my car?

We recommend coming in as soon as you need an oil change. Unless your engine is overheating, you should be okay to drive to our shop from anywhere in the North Carolina Triad area. If you are unsure, give us a call to explain the situation.

How long will an oil change take?

We strive to complete oil changes as quickly as possible. No one wants to spend the entire day waiting in our shop! The best way to get in and out quickly is to set up an appointment. You can click here to book a time that is convenient for you.