The ASE-certified oil change experts at Cox Auto Service help Asheville area customers keep their cars, trucks, and SUVs running in top form. One of the best ways to maintain engine quality is to perform routine maintenance as scheduled by your automaker. This maintenance includes an oil change.
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What is an oil change at Cox Auto Service in Asheville?
An oil change is an important part of routine car maintenance. Your vehicle needs oil to run. Over time, this oil breaks down and gets dirty and sticky. This means you need it replaced with fresh oil to keep the car and its intricate parts running smoothly. Taking out old motor oil and replacing it with fresh lubricant is an oil change.
Oil change service performed by an expert mechanic at Cox Auto Service is much more comprehensive than you might expect. When your vehicle is in the shop bay for this service, it is smart to perform other quick checks, inspections, and fluid replacements at the same time. For this reason, oil change service typically includes:
- Draining of your vehicle’s motor oil
- Replacement and recycling of the old oil with full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional or high mileage motor oil
- Replacement and recycling of the oil filter
- Cabin filter and air filter inspection as needed
- Refill of window washer fluid
- Level check and refill on other important fluids
- Vehicle signal and brake light check
- Chassis lubrication as needed
- Belt, hose, steering, suspension, undercarriage and skid plate inspection
- Windshield wiper check
- Car battery check
- Vehicle damage inspection
Our mechanics determine the right type of motor oil for your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, vehicle type, climate, and your driving style. With routine oil changes, you can rest easy in knowing your car will run better, stronger, and longer. We have helped our North Carolina customers stay safe on the road since 1970. In turn, our preventive maintenance also keeps our customers from needing more costly auto repair services.
The Role of Motor Oil in Your Vehicle
Motor oil, also called engine oil, lubricates all of your car’s working parts. It cools them at the same time. Each engine uses a particular type of oil as recommended by your auto manufacturer in your owner’s manual. You can also find this recommendation on the engine oil cap under the hood of your car. But really, you do not have to worry about finding this information before an oil change. Your friendly mechanics at Cox Auto Service have access to all of the information they need and know how to assess your engine type, driving style, and climate for the right fit.
Engine oil specifications, the letters, and numbers in the product name define the type of oil and its viscosity. This system also identifies the additives needed to fully protect and lubricate your engine’s moving parts. Some oil types are more costly than others, with full synthetic being the most expensive. But this is a clear case of getting the quality you pay for when buying motor oil.
What makes an oil change necessary?
New motor oil makes all of the difference in the world when it comes to how your vehicle drives. An oil change can give you that “just off the car lot” feeling. But this is not the only reason why you need this service.
An oil change ensures your used oil waste does not damage your engine. Starting your engine involves a brief period of time when no oil is circulating between its parts. This causes friction and part wear. Likewise, as engine oil additives run out, the passages where the oil typically flows from sludge deposits. These deposits reduce moving part lubrication and inflict serious engine damage.
Routine oil changes as recommended by your auto manufacturer is one way to preserve your engine quality. You can also make better use of engine lubrication and oil attributes by taking fewer short trips in your vehicle. Short trips that do not enable the engine to fully heat actually age the oil more rapidly.
Facts About Oil Changes
Some key facts about oil changes include:
- When you go into your local auto repair shop for an oil change, you also receive a new oil filter
- Your vehicle may need a new oil pan drain plug because the threads wear down on this important part
- An oil change is a good time for your mechanic to inspect your vehicle, look for other maintenance needs, or provide other services
- Your owner’s manual is the best resource for pinpointing when you need your next oil change
- Most vehicle manufacturers suggest oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for conventional motor oil
- Regular oil checks between changes can prevent engine damage
- Most oil changes take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the auto repair shop’s schedule and your vehicle’s circumstances
Types of Motor Oil Explained
There are four basic types of motor oil used in cars, trucks, and SUVs today. These include synthetic, synthetic blends, high mileage, and conventional oil.
Synthetic motor oil is chemically engineered, whereas conventional motor oil is made directly from crude oil. This means that synthetic is on one end of the environmentally friendly spectrum and conventional is not environmentally friendly. Synthetic is also ideal for your engine. It features the fewest impurities of all types and better properties for your engine’s best performance, particularly when compared to the cheaper conventional oil.
Synthetic blend is a hybrid of synthetic motor oil and conventional oil. This type costs slightly less than synthetic but provides better resistance to oxidation when compared to conventional. High mileage motor oil is specially designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles on their odometer or late models. This formulation reduces oil burn-off and prevents the common oil leaks seen in older engines.
Schedule Your Oil Change Service at Cox Auto Service in Asheville
Your auto repair mechanic at Cox Auto Service in Asheville, North Carolina can help you understand your vehicle’s specific oil requirements. You only have to schedule an appointment for complete oil change service and other services performed conveniently at the same time, such as wiper blade changes, bulb changes, and inspections. Call us today at 828-254-8661 for scheduling.