If you own a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle, that vehicle is going to require oil to run. While the car or truck might technically burn the gas or diesel to make it move forward, you aren't going anywhere without oil. Not only do you need a sufficient quantity of oil in your engine to keep everything moving, but you also need the right kind of oil for your vehicle. In this article, we'll talk about how you can pick out the right oil for your engine. This is a relatively simple task, but it is one you want to be sure to get right.
Start with the Easy Option
There is no reason to make this harder than it has to be, so the first place you should start is with the owner's manual. Most likely, you have an owner's manual resting in your glove box that you can consult for a variety of pieces of information. One piece of information that is sure to be waiting inside is the type of oil which is recommended for your vehicle. Use the table of contents to track down this information and you will be off and running.
Why use the owner's manual to find the answer to this question? Simple - the company that made the vehicle knows more than anyone else about what kind of oil is going to serve the engine best. If you don't have your owner's manual anymore, or you still have it but can't manage to find it at the moment, you can probably track down the information online. Be careful, however - you don't want to trust random information you find on some website you've never heard of. Try going through the manufacturer's official site in an attempt to get the information you need.
A Couple of Options
It's quite likely that there will be a couple of options listed for oil in your owner's manual. This reflects the fact that the owner's manual does not know exactly where you are driving your vehicle, or under what conditions. Therefore, you may see that one oil is recommended for relatively typical conditions, while another oil is suggested in a harsher environment. Obviously, it will be up to you to figure out which situation applies to you, and you can then select the appropriate oil to add to your engine.
Age is a Factor
As your vehicle ages, you may wish to slightly alter the oil you choose. There are some oils on the market which are formulated specifically for high-mileage engines, and while these aren't required, you might find that they are helpful. Specifically, these formulas often target the seals in your engine, helping to condition them so they can continue to do their job as the months and years go by.
If you do pick a high-mileage oil, be sure to confirm that it still matches up with what your engine needs in terms of oil weight. You don't want to start using something which is dramatically different from what you've been using all along, just because you switch to a high-mileage blend.
Timely Changes
No matter what kind of oil you need to use in your engine, be sure that the oil is changed on a regular basis. Again, you can turn to the owner's manual for help, as it is going to provide you with a recommended mileage interval to have your oil replaced. It used to be that 3,000 miles was the standard for oil changes, but today's more efficient engines can typically go much further. If you own a relatively new vehicle, you might be looking at something like a 7,500-mile interval between oil changes. Once you have retrieved this information from your owner's manual, make a note of when you'll need your changes and do your best to have them completed as close to the recommended mileage as possible.
We understand that it is easy to put off something like an oil change when your engine is running well and your life is busy. Do your best to resist that temptation and instead try to keep up with your oil changes as best as possible. Providing your engine with fresh oil on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to care for your car, and it really doesn't cost much in terms of time or money.
Getting Some Help
There is no need to worry about changing your own oil when you can work with a friendly team like the one at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet to get it done. Our service department will be happy to handle your oil change needs, along with everything else you require to keep your vehicle out on the road. Thanks to the significant experience we have in this business, you can expect us to get the job done right the first time, every time. We offer fair rates and are always happy to explain the work that needs to be done on your vehicle. Coming in for an oil change is a great way to see the quality of the work we provide before trusting us with a bigger job. Soon enough, we believe that you'll choose to bring your vehicle to our service department for all maintenance and repair tasks.
Putting the wrong oil in your engine is a serious mistake - but it is also a mistake that should be easy to avoid. As long as you take a little time to seek out the right information, and ask for help if necessary, you should have no trouble at all picking out an oil which will suit your vehicle nicely. Of course, the experienced and knowledgeable team here at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet will be happy to help if you need assistance on this matter. Contact us right away for all of your service and repair needs. Thank you for stopping by, and we look forward to serving you!