How often do I need an Oil Change?

Even though oil changes are relatively simple and cheap, they significantly help extend your engine’s longevity and enhance its overall operating performance. By staying on top of routine oil changes, you can prevent excessive engine wear and tear. Fresh, clean oil optimizes your car’s performance by keeping the engine parts lubricated, protecting against metal-on-metal contact. 

You may not always be able to rely on the mileage interval or the dash warning light to let you know when it’s time to schedule an oil change service.  Oil deteriorates and loses its effectiveness over time.  As a result, your vehicle may start to suffer from an overdue oil change.  

“How often do I need an oil change?”  The answer is simple—read your owner’s manual or ask your auto repair mechanic.  By adhering to the suggested intervals for oil changes, you can avoid the issues listed below:  

1. Dark and Dirty Oil -- Over time, the oil will darken and get dirty from the particles it collects from the engine.  If you can’t see the dip stick through the oil, it’s time for an oil change.
2. Noisy Engine -- You may start to hear louder engine noises, such as knocking, rumbling, and even roaring as dirty oil is not able to lubricate engine parts as well.
3. Warning Light -- An illuminated oil change light on the instrument panel indicates that there’s too little oil in the system. You may get by with adding a quart of oil.  But if the oil is dark, it’s time for an oil change.  
4. Exhaust Smoke -- If you notice smoke coming from the muffler (compared to translucent vapor in cold temperatures), there could be an oil leak in the engine.  
5. Oil Smell -- If you notice a strong smell of oil, there is possibly a leak. If the smell is mixed with the smell of gas or exhaust fumes, it indicates that your vehicle is overheating and oil is burning in the exhaust area, causing serious engine damage. 

Tip:  Ask your auto shop about their oil change coupons!

Are you asking, “How often do I need an oil change?”  Call our ASE Certified technicians at theWrench, Ltd. Car Care Center about our oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Silverdale, WA, and the surrounding area.

Are you wondering how often do Tires Need To Be Rotated?

It’s a sad situation when drivers don’t pay attention to the condition of their tires until they are stranded on the side of the road with a flat or damaged tire, looking for an urgent tire repair shop.  Inappropriately, they are endangering themselves, their passengers, and probably other motorists.  Statistics say that nearly 11,000 tire-related accidents happen every year, many of them because of tire failure due to uneven wear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages motorists to include tire rotation as part of their basic vehicle maintenance routine.

Have you checked the tread on your tires lately?  Is there uneven wearing in various places?  Are you wondering how often do tires need to be rotated?  There is no set answer as every tire wears at a different rate due to the distribution of weight among the tires. The front wheels carry more loads, due to engine and transmission mass. Plus, the front wheels take the most stress during turns and braking.  If the front wheels are the drive wheels, the pressure on them amplifies.  

Inexperienced drivers may not understand exactly what rotating tires even means.  Simply stated, a tire rotation service is moving the tires around to a different position on the vehicle so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires.  For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear of the car and the rear tires to the front.  

There are three main indicators that it’s time to rotate your tires:

• Uneven wear. The front tires may wear faster than the rear ones, or there is an irregular wear pattern in the tread on one of the front tires. 
• Vehicle vibration.  At speeds of 45 mph and higher, you may feel a vibration due to uneven tread wear. Your tires may need to be rotated, balanced.
• Pressure loss.  If a tire is losing air faster than any of the others, it may have too much pressure put on it. Repair the tire, if punctured, and rotate your tires as compulsory.

Normally, most tire repair technicians recommend that tires be rotated about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.  

Need expert advice on how often do tires need to be rotated?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at theWrench, Ltd. Car Care Center for information about tire repair and to make an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in Silverdale, WA, and the surrounding area.