Maintenance & Oil Change

You should change your oil based on the manufacturer’s recommendations or sooner. Depending on what you use the vehicle for, some manufacturers are extending these oil changes to 10 or 12,000 miles. To me, that’s a long time in between oil changes. If you are in Arizona, you are in a very hot and dusty climate most of the year. We recommend every 7,000 to 10,000 miles on the high end and three to five thousand on an older vehicle. The main point is to not go over the manufacturer’s recommendations. We also put a reminder sticker in the windshield so you know what mileage you need to come back for.

On a modern vehicle, the most common sign is that the car is telling you it needs an oil change. The computer systems are very sophisticated and can count the miles between changes. Another sign is having a reminder sticker in the windshield showing the mileage. There are usually not many other signs. If you wait until the car feels like it has less pep, you have probably gone too far. Use the indicator lights and the reminder sticker to tell you when it is time. We even send computer reminders or give you a call so you do not forget.

If you wait too long, you may not see the ramifications right away. Going over by a thousand miles one time is not the end of the world and you are not going to ruin your engine. However, making it a regular habit will put more wear and tear on the engine than needed. Waiting way too long will cost you the longevity of the vehicle because of the dirty oil and filter in the system.

Another important thing to think about is that waiting too long can void an extended warranty. You need to read the fine print because some warranties can void protection if you go even 10 miles over the limit. Keep very good records to make sure you do not lose that coverage.

You can usually find the type of oil your vehicle needs in the owner’s manual or under the hood by the engine oil cap. Sometimes it is also listed in the door jamb on the driver’s side.

There is really no such thing anymore in the U.S. as traditional conventional oil. Everything is somewhat synthetic, meaning it is man-made and enhanced to protect the engine and the environment. The biggest difference you need to know is if your car takes full synthetic or semi-synthetic. Most vehicles nowadays take a semi-synthetic, which is partially conventional and partially man-made. Some vehicles require full synthetic, and if you use semi-synthetic instead, you could ruin the engine because it needs that extra lubrication and heat tolerance. Your vehicle will tell you which one it requires.

Oil gets dirty because there are literally fires going on inside your engine. The fuel goes into the system and the oil is exposed to that combustion. It is also exposed to heat from friction and dirt from the environment. You may not notice the dirt right away, but the color does not necessarily mean it needs to be changed. Modern oil is changed based on mileage and time, not just the color.

Short or long distances do not necessarily dictate the life of the oil. City driving with lots of stoplights puts more wear on the engine, but not necessarily on the oil. You should still change it based on mileage. Some people who drive a lot in the city choose to change it at three or four thousand miles instead of five thousand as “cheap insurance”. This reduces friction and can make the engine last longer.

If reset properly, it tells you that the vehicle is ready for an oil change based on mileage. You should be careful because some manufacturers set this light for 10,000 miles, which is not always smart for hot and dusty climates like Phoenix. It is a good backup plan, but I would recommend a 7,000-mile interval instead.

If the light comes on, it is a warning for maintenance and not something to be alarmed about. It is not going to stop you or leave you stranded. Sometimes shops forget to reset the light. If that happens, check your sticker to see when the work was actually done and have the shop reset it.

You can check it yourself if your vehicle has a dipstick, which is the little rod that goes into the engine to show the oil level. If there is no oil on that dipstick, it usually means the engine is more than a quart low. Many modern vehicles do not even have dipsticks anymore. For those, the only way to tell the level is through the car’s computer sensors.

This is usually an indication of a problem inside the engine. If your oil looks like a milkshake, you should stop and have the vehicle towed to a professional. That is not normal and could mean internal damage with metal circulating in the engine. If it smells like fuel, there is likely an issue with the fuel system or a bad fuel injector. Normal oil should look clear brown or black.

As an engine gets older and gains more miles, it will naturally start to burn a little bit of oil. Some modern vehicles with under 100,000 miles might burn half a quart between changes. It is a natural aging process and is not something to be totally alarmed about. Regular maintenance at the right intervals makes it less likely that an engine will burn a lot of oil as it gets older.

A professional oil change is not just dumping fluid and replacing the filter. It should include a full vehicle inspection where the vehicle is lifted and test-driven. Technicians should:

• Pull the tires to check the brakes.
• Inspect all hoses and belts.
• Check the condition of transmission, brake, and power steering fluids.
• Verify engine coolant levels and look for any leaks.

A pro shop will not let a vehicle leave with low fluids. They will top off everything to ensure the vehicle stays reliable and safe until your next visit.