Blog

What happens in an oil change, and why are they important?

It's generally recommended that you get an oil change every 3,000-5,000 miles. Those numbers depend on the type of vehicle you drive, and how much you drive. Oil changes are absolutely necessary if you want to keep your vehicle healthy, and avoid an expensive car repair bill.

To perform an oil change, your technician will drain the old oil, replace the filter, and put in new oil. The technician will look at the color of your engine's oil to determine the health of your engine. Dark oil can indicate a possible problem.

Your vehicle's engine needs oil in order to operate. Your car, truck, or SUV is a machine. All of the parts of the machine need to run smoothly in order to perform. There are tons of gears in your vehicle to allow that to happen, and gears need to be lubricated. Never allow your car's engine oil to run out.  This can lead to replacing the motor, or needing new head gaskets. Both are hefty repairs!

What type of oil should I put in my vehicle?

Different cars require different types of oil. Your vehicle's ownership manual should tell you the type of oil your car needs, but if not, we're here to help.

• Let's start with Synthetic. Synthetic oil means that it has gone through a much more detailed process than your Conventional oils. The engineering process removes more impurities, which can build up in your vehicle's engine. Synthetic oil is especially good for people who live in areas with extreme temperatures, whether it's hot or cold. If you have a high performance vehicle, synthetic oil is the right option for you. Newer models of cars now require synthetic oil. It may be more expensive than a conventional oil change, but it's the best option for people who drive often.
• Conventional Oils. Conventional oils are made from petroleum that has been through a refinement process. These types of oils are typically used in older vehicles. It's the most affordable oil on the market, but it has its downsides. Conventional oils don't go through the same rigorous processes that synthetic oils do, so conventional oils have a lot of impurities which can clog up your engine. Conventional oils also don't perform as well as synthetic oils do in extreme hot or cold conditions.

At Aspen Hill Exxon, we include a digital inspection service with every oil change. Our technicians check fluids, perform a road test, and check under the hood and carriage at no charge to our customers. We hope this was helpful! If you are located in Montgomery County, MD, near Silver Spring, Rockville, Olney, or Gaithersburg, give us a call! We'd be happy to help you with your next auto repair. We're known for our honesty, diagnostics, and for getting the job done right!