Are you one of those people who routinely change your motor oil right on schedule? Kudos to you. But if you’re one of those people who delay it, you could be shortening the life of your car’s engine. Routinely changing your engine’s oil is one of the most important tasks you can do to maintain your car. And when choosing brands, choose Havoline Motor Oil for your automobile. It’s trusted for its high quality and outstanding performance.
The Importance of Motor Oil
If you own a car, you know that it’s important to change your oil regularly. But do you know why it’s so important? Motor oil is a hardworking item that has 3 critical functions. It lubricates, cools, and cleans your engine.
Have you ever stepped on an oily surface? Then you understand how slippery oil is and its role as a lubricant in your engine. As a liquid, oil can change shape. Thus, it can flow easily between metal surfaces smoothing and cushioning rough surfaces.
Your motor oil helps keep your engine cool. Whenever you have moving parts, friction and heat occur. Engines have many moving components that create a tremendous amount of heat. While most of us think of the radiator as the main cooling component, motor oil performs this task too. In fact, motor oil provides up to 40% of the cooling process.
Finally, your motor oil helps clean your engine. Exposure to the elements causes water and dirt to build up in your engine. Plus, as metal parts move, the wear and tear cause small metal shavings to come loose. Your motor oil picks up these contaminants as it moves throughout the engine, depositing them in the filter.
Can I Change the Motor Oil Myself?
Some people do indeed change the oil in their car. The steps are fairly simple. First, pull the drain plug to drain the oil into a pan. Once you’ve drained all the old oil, tighten the drain plug back up. Next, change your oil filter and refill your engine with new oil.
Sounds simple, right? However, changing the oil is a messy job. Oil sticks to just about everything it touches. You can get very greasy and dirty by changing your oil. Additionally, used oil may contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Just old oil from one car can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water.
Then what do you do with your old lubricant? You can’t just throw it in the garbage. It’s classified as a hazardous waste and you must dispose of it properly. Improper disposal can result in fines, jail time, and clean-up costs.
Your Old Motor Oil and Filter Are Recyclable
Many auto part stores collect and recycle used motor oil. By recycling motor oil, you save resources. Manufacturers require a whopping 42 gallons of crude oil to produce 2 ½ quarts of motor oil. Whereas manufacturers only need 1 gallon of used oil to produce the same 2 ½ quarts.
However, in order to recycle your engine oil, you must put your old oil into suitable receptacles for transporting. Using empty milk cartons, juice containers, or other similar receptacles may contaminate your oil making it unsuitable for recycling. Your old, empty plastic oil containers are suitable, but be careful not to spill any oil as you’re filling them.
And don’t forget your old filter. Much of the filter is steel, which is recyclable. Plus, your filter may contain up to 10 ounces of oil that require proper disposal. Do you want to worry about suitable receptacles, getting dirty, or buying the right oil? Of course not! Let us handle the oil change for you. Simply make an appointment with us and we’ll take care of the rest.
Why We Use Only Havoline Motor Oil
Isn’t all motor oil the same? Actually, all motor oils start with a base from either crude or recycled oil. Depending on the degree of refinement, manufacturers classify base oils into 5 groups. Choosing the base oil from these groups determines a large part of the performance characteristics of the finished product.
Then manufacturers add chemical additives such as a corrosion inhibitor or foam suppressant additive to improve the product. Most lubricants contain 10-30% of additives. However, which additives and the exact amounts are a company’s closely guarded secret. So, no, all motor oils are not the same.
We use only Havoline Motor Oil. With its advanced formulations, it protects your engine from harmful deposits while maximizing fuel economy. Today’s engines require high temperature performance, especially in extremely cold climates and stop and go traffic conditions. Havoline delivers the most technologically-advanced protection in every motor oil product. From its earliest days, Havoline has known that protecting your automobile is about protecting your family.
Today, with a focus on eco-friendly practices, you can buy Havoline motor oil in an environmentally-responsible, recyclable package. Their new packaging uses 70-89% less plastic. Plus, the outer carton is 100% recyclable. Shouldn’t you trust Havoline motor oil in your vehicle?
Which Type of Oil Should I Buy?
Shopping for motor oil can be confusing. Whereas a few years ago, you only needed to be concerned with the weight, today there are also different types. Engine oil is available in conventional, synthetic, synthetic blend and high mileage. The right one for you is dependent upon your climate, driving habits, manufacturer’s specifications, and age of your vehicle.
Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons as well as impurities such as sulfur and nitrogen. During the refinement process, manufacturers break crude oil down into its various components while removing impurities. The least refined oil, out of all the choices, is conventional motor oil. This is one of the reasons it is the cheapest. Available in a range viscosity, you need to change this type more often than synthetics and blends.
Synthetic oil often starts with a crude oil base. But then manufacturers take it into the laboratory. There, engineers chemically modify the oil so that all the molecules are the same size and shape. With special additives, you have an oil with higher viscosity levels that reduces friction and engine sludge. Although more expensive, you don’t have to change your oil as frequently because synthetic oils last much longer.
Synthetic blend motor oil is a combination of conventional and synthetic oils. While not as refined as full synthetic motor oil, blends contain many of the same additives. Thus, it has many of the same properties as synthetic without the expensive price tag.
Typically, many manufacturers recommend high mileage motor oil for vehicles with 75,000 miles or more. At this milestone, the rubber gaskets and seals on many cars start to shrink and harden. This can cause oil leaks. High mileage oil contains additives that cause gaskets and seals to swell, thus reducing the likelihood of any leakage. Our mechanics will recommend whether your vehicle is ready for a high mileage oil.
Does the Weight Matter?
When shopping for motor oil, you’ll notice a viscosity designation on the bottle. It’s designated by 2 numbers and the letter “W” such as 10W-30. The first number, 10W refers to the oil’s thickness when the engine’s cold, and the second when it’s hot.
Considering that we drive in all types of weather, we need an oil that performs well at different temperatures. Although motor oil is thick when cold, it thins when heated. The lower the first number, the thinner it will be at a lower temperature. This allows the oil to circulate through your engine when you start it. While the second number is the oil’s viscosity when hot. A higher number means a thicker oil at normal engine operating temperatures. Motor oil that stays thicker in hot temperatures helps your engine perform better.
So how do you know which is the best for your engine when there are so many choices? Your car’s owner’s manual will list the recommended oil weight for your vehicle. Additionally, we can help you determine which oil is best for your engine type. Our ASE-certified mechanics are experienced with all makes and models of vehicles and their oil requirements. They will guide you to the appropriate oil for your vehicle, climate and driving conditions.
Plus, when you come in for an oil change, we’ll perform a courtesy check on the following items:
- Engine air filter
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Automatic transmission fluid
- Coolant/antifreeze
After checking these items for you, we’ll explain the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing the filters and fluids.
We Do More Than Just Oil Changes
The overall maintenance of your car’s engine is just as important as an oil change. Maintaining all aspects of your engine gives your optimal performance and fuel efficiency. That’s why we perform more than just oil changes.
If you need an inspection, tune-up, or wheel alignment, our mechanics can do it. And that’s not all! We can perform over 30 automotive repairs on your car, including brakes and transmissions. Using the latest diagnostic equipment, we guarantee to service or repair your vehicle quickly and efficiently.
Once we’re finished with your mechanical maintenance, why not take your vehicle through our car wash? Our turbo foam bath uses recycled filtered water to gently sweep the dirt away. We use premium products like Armor-All®, Rain•X®, and Black Magic®.
We have 3 different wash packages designed to clean your car and save you money in the process. Purchase a pass and enjoy unlimited car washes all month. Or buy a prepaid card for a birthday, graduation, or any other special occasion.
ASE-Certified Technicians Means Excellence in Auto Service and Repair
How do you know you’re getting the best repair possible? Since 1972 the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence has worked to improve the quality of vehicle service and repair. ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in over 40 job-related skills. And to keep up with evolving technology, professionals must retest every five years.
We employ ASE technicians to repair and service your vehicle. Additionally, we have 5 technicians with NC Inspection Certifications along with several other staff members. Whatever type of car, domestic or foreign, we can take care of all of your auto repair and maintenance needs.
Trust Havoline Motor Oil for Your Vehicle
As government regulations demand higher fuel efficiency and fewer emissions, demands on your car’s engine are increasing. This increased demand results in a harsh and relentless operating environment. Havoline motor oil meets the demands of today’s modern engines.
When it’s time to get your engine oil changed, bring your vehicle to Xpress Lube of Kernersville. We’re a family-owned and operated auto repair business. Our owner, Mac Allen, has been serving the local community for more than 25 years with friendly, welcoming service. Customer service has been our focus and the reason for our growth over the years. Our mechanics will explain in layman’s terms any repair or part replacement that your vehicle requires. We always provide the most budget-friendly solution to your car or truck’s issues!
Additionally, we have a loyalty program designed to reward you for your support. For every dollar you spend for any of our services, earn 1 point. You can redeem these points for a discount on oil changes, repairs, or car wash. It’s our way of saying thank you.
So, if you don’t remember when you last changed your engine’s motor oil, give us a call at 336-993-7697. Or you can use our online form to schedule an appointment. You’ve spent thousands of dollars on your vehicle, doesn’t it make sense to protect your investment?