Omaha Oil Change FAQ: Answering Your Top Questions About Vehicle Maintenance
Just about every driver in Omaha, NE, knows that oil changes are important, but they might not be sure why that’s the case. Even if you already take oil changes seriously, it’s good to understand the concrete benefits that come with oil changes and the dangers of neglecting this maintenance task.
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If you’d like to learn more about oil change service, we’re happy to help. Explore these FAQs to get the answers to all your Omaha oil change questions.
What’s the Difference Between Conventional and Synthetic Oil?
Before scheduling your next Omaha oil change, it’s a good idea to take some time to decide what type of oil you’re looking for. You’ll need to choose between conventional and synthetic oil — and one of the two options is the clear winner for most motorists.
Conventional oil comes from semi-refined crude mineral oil. Technically, this is the cheapest form of motor oil (at least, in terms of upfront cost). The catch is that this oil is affected by dirt and other contaminants much earlier than other oil types — and you’ll need to schedule oil changes more often as a result.
The other leading motor oil option is full synthetic oil. This highly refined type of oil is manufactured in factories and laboratories and functions very well under high temperatures. Full synthetic oil also breaks down much more slowly than conventional oil. And while this oil type costs more than conventional oil, it does a more effective job of protecting your engine (allowing you to wait longer between oil changes).
Why Are Oil Changes Important?
If it’s been a while since your last oil change in Omaha, you shouldn’t put this service off any longer. Oil takes care of all sorts of things in your vehicle, such as:
- Controlling heat
- Keeping your engine clean
- Reducing your risk of internal rust
- Lubricating engine parts
But even the highest-quality synthetic motor oil will eventually break down, losing functionality in the process. With that in mind, local drivers need to make oil changes one of their highest maintenance priorities.
How Often Should You Get Oil Changes?
While regular oil change services are a vital part of any thorough maintenance strategy, you’ll need to create an oil change schedule to reap the full benefits of this work. To get started, check your car’s manual for guidance.
The type of oil you use can also have an impact on your oil change needs. Here’s a rough estimate of when the average Omaha driver will need an oil change with different oil types:
- If using conventional oil, they’ll need oil changes once every 3,000 miles.
- If using full synthetic oil, they can wait 5,000 to 7,000 miles between oil changes.
- With synthetic blend oil (a combination of conventional and full synthetic oil), they’ll need to change their oil every 5,000 miles.
How Can You Know When Your Car Needs an Oil Change?
The advice above should give you a basic idea of when to plan your next oil change. You should also set up an Omaha oil change ahead of schedule if you notice:
- An active “check engine” light: Oil problems (and many other issues) can trigger this dashboard light.
- Strange noises: Have you noticed “knocking” or “ticking” sounds in your vehicle lately? If so, old oil may be to blame.
- Dirty/thick oil: Your oil should be debris-free and have a thin consistency. If that’s no longer the case, you should replace it right away.
- Exhaust pipe smoke: Oil problems are one of several issues that can cause exhaust pipe smoke. No matter the underlying cause, it needs to be addressed immediately.
How Can You Check Your Oil?
Checking your oil isn’t difficult, especially if you drive a newer vehicle with an oil monitoring system. If you drive an older vehicle, you’ll need to know how to check your oil manually. To do that:
- Park your car and give it a few minutes to cool down before turning it off.
- Find the dipstick in the oil reservoir under your vehicle’s hood and wipe off any leftover oil.
- Put the clean dipstick back into the reservoir and pull it out again to measure your oil level. It should be within a cross-hatched area or between two markings. If it’s lower than that (or the oil is visibly dirty), schedule an oil change right away.
Where To Get an Omaha Oil Change
Hopefully, the knowledge provided in these FAQs will make it easier than ever for you to take care of oil changes for your vehicle. Of course, there’s still one more question you’ll need to think about: where to get a high-quality oil change in Omaha.
Fortunately, this is an easy question to answer — just visit one our of auto shop locations in Omaha for your next oil change! At TO Haas, your oil change service is handled by ASE-certified mechanics, and you can save on this vital maintenance job with our online service coupons. Schedule an oil change today to get started.