Oil changes are vital to the safety and healthy operation of your vehicle. Learn about locating and finding the best oil change offers near you now.
The scheduling of regular oil changes is perhaps the single-most important aspect of vehicle maintenance pursuant to extending the life of your automobile. Failure to change the oil in your vehicle causes it to function inefficiently, break down or become totaled entirely. Oil changes are vital to the safety and healthy operation of your vehicle but are also one of the most affordable types of car maintenance services performed. Prices vary per provider and oil type purchased in addition to other factors. Luckily, most providers offer coupons and discounts on oil changes to reduce the already-affordable prices even further. Continue reading to gain insight about locating and finding the best oil change offers near you.
Why Are Oil Changes Important?
Scheduling regular maintenance services is an essential part of prolonging the health and lifespan of your vehicle. Regularly scheduled oil changes are perhaps the most essential of all services pursuant to your automobile operating overall. An oil change detoxifies the applicable working parts and components of your automobile. This includes the detoxification of your vehicle’s engine. Every single operational component and vehicle system relies on the unwavering availability of clean oil to function properly. Simply put, driving with dirty, low or no oil in your automobile will eventually destroy the vehicle, often sooner rather than later.
Lubricates and Cools the Engine
Oil is not the same as the coolant you place in your radiator and reserve container. Still, motor oil serves as an extra coolant for your engine to reduce high temperatures created via combustion processes. Valves and pistons also move rapidly, which generates even more additional heat. When your oil is dirty or low your engine will overheat to damaging levels faster.
The engine in your vehicle is comprised of multiple different moving metal parts and components. When these parts rub together, they create friction. This friction wears down on the parts and components quickly if they are not lubricated properly with motor oil. Dry moving components put undue strain on the engine as well, eventually causing it to crack. A cracked engine block effectively totals your vehicle.
Removes Dirt and Improves Efficacy
Oil changes replace dirty oil with clean oil, which improves the way the oil functions. When performing at maximum efficacy, motor oil further improves the efficiency of your operational systems and vehicle at-large. An improperly lubricated automobile is forced to expend more effort to perform normal functions. This increases wear-and-tear on all applicable components. Undue wear-and-tear leads to higher repair bills long before they would otherwise become necessary. An improperly lubricated automobile also decreases fuel efficiency and control over the steering and braking systems of the vehicle.
Helps Comply with Warranty Requirements
Auto warranties commonly include provisions, which require the warranty holders to adhere to regular vehicle maintenance schedules. This is true for both manufacturers and extended auto warranties alike. If you violate the terms of your warranty, you are at risk of nullifying the protection it offers you. When this occurs, you not only lose the money you spent for the warranty in the first place, but you also become liable for out-of-pocket repair bills no longer covered by the warranty. Scheduling regular oil changes helps keep you in compliance with your warranty terms and saves you a potentially large amount of money in the end.
Additional Benefits of Getting Regular Oil Changes When Needed
Oil changes are generally inexpensive, which means their nominal costs save you significant money in the long run. Scheduling regular oil changes is also somewhat of an environmentally-sound process. As motor oil becomes dirty and less efficient, dangerous hydrocarbons and other gases are emitted from your vehicle. Essentially, clean oil causes less pollution. Clean oil also expedites the way your automobile passes required emission tests.
Big Name Oil Change Service Providers
Numerous big-name oil change service providers are available nationwide now. Popular and reliable provider locations include those in operation inside major retail chains such as Walmart. Other providers such as Express Oil Change specialize in oil changes and certain another auto maintenance services. Several more big-name oil change service providers in business today include:
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NTB (National Tire and Service Center).
Please note: Due to COVID-19-related financial burdens and other factors, Sears Auto Center locations (once a consumer favorite) are now permanently closed for business.
Types of Oil Changes Different Cars Require (including average costs)
Understanding the type of oil your vehicle requires is vital. Conventional, full synthetic, synthetic blend and high mileage oil changes are available. The oil your car requires also has a specific rating. Motor oil ratings are based on viscosity, weight, and type. For example, 10W-30 motor oil refers to:
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Oil flow efficacy at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (“10”).
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Winter (“W”).
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Viscosity when oil reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit (“30”).
Conventional oil changes are performed on automobiles with basic engine designs. Full synthetic oil changes are high-end options for vehicles requiring significant lubrication. Synthetic blend oil changes are affordable options using adequate quality motor oils. These are excellent choices for SUVs and pickup trucks. Finally, high mileage oil changes work best for vehicles with 75,000 miles on them or more.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Oil Change?
It is recommended to have your vehicle’s oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This varies based on the type of automobile you drive, however, and how many miles you have driven it overall. This also varies based on the age of the vehicle.
Typically, an oil change takes between thirty and forty-five minutes to complete. This frequently includes also checking the serpentine and timing belts and tire pressure levels. The provider will also recommend the best type of oil for your vehicle and check other fluid levels and lights as applicable.
Oil Change Costs
Typically, oil changes cost between $20 and $100 on average. Prices will vary based on the brand and quality of motor oil purchased and how much oil is needed to complete the oil change. Coupons and other discounts are commonly available, however, and are discussed in more detail below.
How to Find Local Oil Change Offers
Many big name-brand oil change service providers such as Meineke offer coupons and discounts on their own websites. Honey, Capital One Shopping, Retail Me Not, Valpak and Groupon are specialized online-only discount companies, which also offer multiple methods to reduce oil change prices at nationwide locations. Major automobile dealerships also offer specials on oil changes at various times throughout the year. Some service providers discount prices for holidays. Others lower their prices for oil changes on specific days of each week all year long.