Oil Change Service Guide: Everything You Should Know About Your Car’s Oil

You depend on your engine to crank up and run smoothly every time you turn the key. One of the easiest ways to ensure it can consistently do this is by making sure your vehicle’s engine has clean motor oil, keeping sensitive components protected and running properly. This is why regular oil change service is so important.

Making an oil change part of your vehicle’s preventative maintenance routine is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to prolong the life of your engine. But, things can get confusing quickly when you start trying to determine how often it should be done or what type of oil is best for your vehicle. If you need assistance making these decisions, we’ve got you covered. This guide will make things more clear and it breaks down what you need to know about your engine’s oil.

The Critical Role Motor Oil Plays in Engine Protection

The motor oil running through your engine plays a vital role in keeping it running smoothly, efficiently, and safely. It does this in four important ways:

Reducing friction and preventing excess wear: The oil forms a layer of lubricating protection over all of the sensitive components within the engine. This reduces friction between the moving parts and prevents metal-on-metal contact.
Cleaning throughout: As it cycles through the engine, the motor oil picks up dirt, debris, and combustion deposits, preventing these things from building up and causing damaging blockages. The oil renders these things harmless until your next oil change when the dirty oil is removed.
Eliminating excess heat: Your engine generates a lot of heat while it runs. The motor oil safely absorbs excess heat away from sensitive areas, redistributes it throughout the engine, and helps prevent the engine from overheating.
Preventing corrosion and rust: The layer of protection formed by the motor oil also keeps excessive corrosion and rust from forming on the engine components.

But, motor oil doesn’t last forever. Over time, as the oil circulates through the engine, picks up dirt and debris, and absorbs heat, it becomes less and less effective. So, not having a regular oil change service done can mean sticking pistons, engine clogs, overheating, and even a seized-up engine.

Avoid further costly repairs by keeping up with the suggested oil change routine for your vehicle. This ensures your engine will always have the protection it needs to run at its best.

Our technicians at Ramona Tire & Service Centers will be glad to help you determine what the best oil change service schedule is for your car or truck.

What Happens During an Oil Change Service?

Now you know how critical an oil change is to your engine. But, other than the fact that new oil is put in, do you know exactly what an oil change service entails?

Here is exactly what your technician will do during a full-service oil change:

Check the current oil level and condition of the oil
Drain the old oil out of the engine from the bottom
Remove the old, dirty oil filter
Install a new oil filter
Put new, clean oil into the engine. (See below for the different types available)
Lubricate the vehicle’s chassis
Perform a multi-point vehicle inspection

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Different Types of Motor Oil

There are several different types of engine oil available today. Each type has a different level of viscosity (thickness), different additives, provide different levels of engine protection, and vary in cost. The main types of engine oil are:

Conventional

Conventional motor oil, sometimes simply referred to as “standard oil”, is a natural crude mineral oil that is partially refined to improve the viscosity and protective properties.

This oil will be the most budget-friendly option, while still being effective at protecting your engine. But, it is not as refined as other types of oil available, so it will not provide the same levels of protection that you’ll get from synthetic oil, for example. It can also become dirtier and less effective quicker.

Full-Synthetic

On the other hand, synthetic oil is entirely manufactured in a lab or factory, highly refined, and contains the best elements of oil and additives. This type of oil goes through a highly controlled manufacturing process and must adhere to stringent standards. Thus, it provides the highest levels of engine protection.

Compared to a conventional oil change, a full-synthetic oil change will be more expensive. Usually, you can expect to pay $20 to $40 more for synthetic oil, depending on the amount of oil your vehicle requires. But, synthetic oil does last longer, so your oil changes will be less frequent compared to conventional oil.

Synthetic Blend

A synthetic blend oil is a refined oil that is a hybrid mixture of both full synthetic oil and conventional oil. It uses the best aspects of each type of oil.

Synthetic blend oil offers better performance and more engine protection than conventional oil, but not as much as full-synthetic. Typically, it also lasts longer than conventional oil. When it comes to the cost of a synthetic blend oil change, it will be slightly more expensive than conventional oil, but less than full-synthetic.

High-Mileage

High-mileage oil was formulated specifically for engines that have more than 75,000 miles. Engineered similarly to synthetic oil, this oil provides extra protection for older engines with unique additives that include viscosity modifiers, seal conditioners, specialized cleansers, and anti-corrosion agents.

Increased oil burn-off and corrosion are problems that can frequently plague older engines, both of which can lead to increased engine wear. So, high-mileage oil provides the extra protection necessary to improve the overall performance of the engine and extend its life.

How Often Should Oil Changes Be Performed On Your Vehicle?

The specific type of vehicle and driving habits both impact the recommended service interval for oil changes. In order to find your vehicle’s manufacturer-suggested oil change schedule, the first place you should look is the owner’s manual. Recommendations can vary between every 3,000 and 10,000 miles under normal driving conditions.

The type of engine oil being used, as mentioned above, also has an impact on how often the oil will need to be changed. For example, if your engine is running with full synthetic oil, you will usually need to have an oil change done every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, which is less frequent compared to conventional oil.

But, some driving habits can cause your engine’s oil to lose its effectiveness even faster. These include:

Frequent stop and go traffic or short trips
Frequent towing or hauling heavy loads
High-mileage driving
Higher temperatures (like we experience here in Southern California)

Here at Ramona Tire & Service Centers, we recommend coming in for an oil change service every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. This keeps your engine’s oil performing its best and ensures that any minor issues are handled before they can become bigger problems.

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Oil Change Guide FAQs

How Do I Go About Checking My Engine’s Oil?

You should check your engine’s oil once a month at a minimum (as long as manual oil checks are possible on your vehicle). A good habit to get into to ensure regular checks is to do it every other time you stop to fill up your gas tank.

Keep in mind, though, that many newer cars monitor the oil level electronically and do not have a way to check the oil manually.

If your vehicle does allow manual oil checks, it’s an easy process for anyone:

Turn off the engine and let the car cool off first, including the dipstick.
Pull the dipstick all the way out and wipe it off with a cloth.
Put it back in, making sure it’s fully reinserted again.
Pull it out and look at where the oil level ends on the dipstick.
Use the markings on the dipstick that indicate HIGH or LOW oil levels.
Look also at the color of the oil. Check if it is very dark-colored, milky, or you can see small bits of metal in the oil.
If the oil level is low, add enough oil to bring it up to the proper level.

If your oil level is low or the oil itself looks different than it should, bring your vehicle to your closest Ramona Tire & Service Centers location for an oil change as soon as possible.

What Are the Indicators That It’s Time for an Oil Change?

There are several things to look out for that indicate it is time to bring your vehicle in for an oil change service. These include:

The “Oil Change Required,” “Low Oil,” or “Check Engine” light is on
Your oil is thick and dark
Hearing knocking or a ticking engine noise
Blue exhaust smoke
An oil smell within the cabin

You might see these signs if you haven’t been keeping up with a regular schedule of oil changes. Don’t take chances at this point. Make an appointment for an oil change as soon as possible to help prevent the possibility of damage to your engine.

When you need an oil change in Los Angeles, come visit the oil specialists at Ramona Tire & Service Centers. Our technicians are knowledgeable and experienced with all types of vehicles. Whether you need a conventional oil change or a full synthetic oil change, you can count on us.

Make sure to check out our latest oil change coupons to help you save even more on your service.

Why Is It Called a “Full-Service” Oil Change?

Any oil change will result in you driving away with fresh, new oil running through your vehicle’s engine. But a professional, full-service oil change like we provide at every location of Ramona Tire & Service Centers, involves more than that.

Besides replacing your oil, a full-service oil change also means the oil change specialist will:

Remove your old, dirty oil filter
Install a new oil filter
Lubricate the vehicle’s chassis
Perform a multi-point vehicle inspection

It’s those last two “full-service” points that can save you lots of problems. Lubricating your chassis protects your suspension and steering components and the inspection can alert you to problems in other systems on your vehicle that need to be addressed. These things help keep your vehicle operating in optimal condition and prevent small issues from becoming bigger, more expensive problems.

And, no, a full-service oil change doesn’t cost any more! Ramona Tire & Service Centers is committed to providing extra value to customers every day of the year.

Does the Oil Filter Really Need to Be Replaced Every Time I Have My Oil Changed?

Any good auto service shop will recommend replacing the oil filter every time the oil is changed. But you may find that some vehicle manufacturers suggest that the oil filter only needs to be replaced at every other oil change.

It has to be taken into account that the oil filter on most vehicles today has been reduced in size to a pint-sized filter from the previously “standard” quart-sized filter. So, oil filters in today’s vehicles can’t perform well if they are not changed until the second oil change.

How Do I Know What the Best Type of Oil is For My Vehicle?

Each type of oil has a different viscosity level and level of engine protection. When trying to determine what the best oil for your specific vehicle would be, the vehicle’s owner’s manual is the first place to look. This is where you’ll find the recommended minimum oil specifications for the vehicle from the manufacturer.

But, to figure out exactly which type of oil is best for you, you need to also consider a few other factors:

Vehicle type: Not all types of vehicles require the same type of oil. For example, an everyday sedan will need a different oil than a high-performance sports car.
Driving habits: Your driving habits will have a significant impact on the life expectancy and performance of your oil. For example, if you are making frequent short trips or are in stop-and-go traffic frequently, a higher-quality oil, like full synthetic oil, will do a better job at preventing excessive wear and tear on your engine.
Vehicle’s age/total mileage: Very often, newer vehicles call for either a full-synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil. Alternatively, older vehicles with 75,000 miles or more should use high-mileage motor oil for added engine protection and performance.
Weather/Environment: Hot summer temperatures like we experience here in Southern California can impact the performance of the oil, specifically the viscosity (how fast it flows) and how well it lubricates the engine components. So, you may need to use a different type of oil during the summer months.

Here at Ramona Tire & Service Centers, our expert technicians can help you determine the best type of oil for your vehicle based on the above factors. Schedule your service appointment today and we can help make sure your engine is adequately protected.

Can’t I Change the Oil Myself?

Yes, you can. If you are looking for a cheap oil change, you may be thinking of doing it yourself. But be careful: If you are not experienced with working on your vehicle, you risk some unintended problems. These include issues like using the wrong filter or oil, having trouble finding the oil pan bolt and filter, or missing an oil leak. The job can be messy and take longer than you expected.

To ensure the service is being performed properly and any other issues that may be present are caught early, leave your vehicle’s oil changes up to the professionals.

Where Does All That Used Oil Go After an Oil Change?

Good question, and thank you for caring about our environment!

Used motor oil can be recycled and reused. It can be re-refined into new oil, processed into fuel oils, and used in the petroleum industry as raw materials. We take pride in properly disposing of all used motor oil at each of our Ramona Tire & Service Centers locations.

If you are a DIY oil changer, be careful with handling and disposing of your drained oil. The freshwater supply for 50 people can be contaminated by improperly handled or disposed of oil from just one oil change.

Make sure you are dropping off used oil at local automobile maintenance facilities, waste collection sites, and government waste sites for recycling. Don’t forget to drain and recycle used oil filters as well. You can usually drop them off at the same site as the used oil.

Routine Oil Changes Keep Your Engine Running At Its Best

Our ASE-certified technicians at Ramona Tire & Service Centers can answer any questions you may have about an oil change service, as well as any other auto repairs. We can also help you determine the service schedule and type of oil that’s best for your vehicle.

If you’re looking for an oil change in Los Angeles, look no further. Southern California drivers trust the experts at Ramona Tire & Service Centers for top-quality vehicle maintenance and repair, all backed by exceptional customer service.