Unless you have a fully electric vehicle, your car needs routine oil changes. Unfortunately, many drivers do not have their oil changed on the correct schedule. This can cause major issues such as breakdowns if you are not getting your oil changed often enough. On the other hand, if you change your oil too often, you are basically throwing away your hard-earned money. If you’re searching for oil change shops near me, we can help. Our certified mechanics can tell you when you need an oil change so you get on the perfect schedule for your vehicle.

Types of Oil and How it Affects Your Oil Maintenance Schedule

The type of oil you choose has a big affect on your overall maintenance schedule. You have three choices: conventional, synthetic, and synthetic blends. There is no one best choice for every vehicle, but we can let you know what will work best for your car.

Many drivers still use conventional motor oil. This is typically the least expensive type of oil, which makes it a popular option. The downside is that you do need to change this type of oil more often. So, you might spend more money over time. Keep in mind that it is always better to get an oil change when you need it instead of putting it off, even if you only have the budget for conventional oil.

If you can afford to spend a little more, you might want to consider synthetic oil. Fully synthetic oil is more expensive upfront, but has two major advantages that help you save money over time:

1. In most vehicles, you’ll need to change synthetic oil less often than conventional oil. Simply put, synthetic oil doesn’t break down as quickly, so your oil stays cleaner longer.
2. Synthetic oil can help your engine last longer. It has advanced lubricating properties, which helps your engine perform better, even as it ages.

All cars that use motor oil can use synthetic oil. It is a common myth that older cars have to use conventional oil. In reality, even vintage and antique cars can use synthetic. You can also switch back to conventional at any time if you don’t like synthetic oil.

Synthetic blends (also called semi-synthetic oil blends) offer the best of both worlds. They don’t break down as quickly as conventional oil, but they also aren’t as expensive as fully synthetic oil. Our synthetic blend oils are popular as a “goldilocks” solution for vehicle owners.

This article from Consumer Reports gives more great information about the different oil types.

Other Factors that Affect When You Need an Oil Change

The types of oil you use isn’t the only thing that affects how often you need to change your oil. Here are a few other factors that could cause you to need to change your oil more or less often:

• Your make and model, along with manufacturer recommendations
• If you tend to make a lot of short trips (i.e. you are starting your engine more often)
• The age of your car
• If you drive on dirt roads or use your vehicle for off-road driving
• Driving in extreme temperatures (typically you don’t have to worry about that here in North Carolina)

The brand of oil makes a difference too. A high-quality brand of motor oil will last longer, regardless of whether you choose convention, synthetic, or a synthetic blend. We exclusively use Havoline oil, which we believe is the best on the market. It’s what we use in our own vehicles, so we recommend it for our customers too.

FAQs about Finding Oil Change Shops Near Me

It’s difficult for us to answer oil change questions without speaking to you one-on-one about your specific vehicle. However, here are a few other FAQs we commonly get about oil change shops near me, along with some general answers. Please contact us to talk about your individual vehicle for the best oil change advice!

How much does an oil change cost?

This depends on the type of oil you choose and how much oil your car needs. We give you a fair price based on these factors. You’ll see the price you’ll pay before we start so you can shop around if desired. We don’t just give you a surprise bill at the end.

If my car isn’t driving well, will an oil change help?

Maybe! However, there might be other issues that are causing poor engine performance, weird noises, “pulling” as you drive, or lack of power when you step on the gas. Our certified mechanics can give your engine a tune-up and look for other potential problems that need to be repaired.

Is it better to get an oil change done professionally? Can’t I just do it myself?

We recommend a professional oil change for three main reasons:

1. It is easy to make mistakes at home. You might use the wrong oil, make errors when replacing the oil filter, or fill the oil incorrectly. Our professionals get the job done right the first time.
2. We can make sure there aren’t any other issues with your vehicle at the same time.
3. Changing oil is a dirty job and can be difficult to do at home unless you have a pit or risers to raise your car. Having it done professionally is simply more convenient for most people.

How can I choose the best shop for my oil change?

When you schedule an oil change, make sure to ask questions. If they aren’t willing to answer your questions, this should be a red flag for you. Always work with a shop that has certified, experienced mechanics like the team here at Kernersville Auto Center. Also, read reviews online first. What are customers saying about their work and customer service?

We would love to speak with you about your next oil change. Although we do accept walk-ins, we can get your work finished faster if you schedule an appointment. Click here to book a time that is convenient for you.