PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE – Oil Change

Follow oil change recommendations to protect your engine

OIL CHANGE: YOUR VEHICLE’S MOST CRITICAL MAINTENANCE SERVICE

An oil change is probably the most important maintenance service your engine needs to avoid costly repairs.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD OIL CHANGES BE DONE?

The answer may seem confusing since it varies according to driving conditions and habits. Let us unravel it for you!

Previously, it was recommended to follow a cautious schedule and have the oil changed every 5,000 km for conventional oils (mineral) and every 8,000 km for synthetic oils. Today, given the significant improvements to fuel systems, engine materials, manufacturing methods and oil chemistry, engine maintenance intervals can vary between 6,000 km for some manufacturers and even over 16,000 km for others. So, what’s the right answer?

Here’s our simple answer: To make sure that your vehicle’s power train remains under warranty, you must follow your owner manual’s recommendations in terms of oil type, mileage and intervals. If you’ve lost your manual, most manufacturers now make this information available online. When you bring your vehicle to Autotech Performance, you’ll benefit from the same manufacturer-recommended maintenance services that you would find at a dealership.

Some more recent vehicles include a built-in monitor that determines the oil’s life span. This gadget uses an algorithm, sensors and software that record oil temperatures, cold starts, driving time, idling time and engine speed. It uses these data to calculate the oil condition and change intervals based on the warranty. Keep in mind that the oil monitor is calibrated for the oil type recommended in the owner’s manual. Service alerts are displayed in the instrument cluster. In some systems, one of the information screens in the instrument cluster will display remaining oil life as a percentage.

It’s important to note that the oil change indicator is very different from the oil pressure red warning light. This red light is the one that lights up and turns off when you start the engine. If this light comes on as you drive or when you’re idling, it means that you don’t have any oil left or that there is a potentially very serious engine issue. If such is the case, we highly recommend that you do not drive your vehicle and contact a towing service or the closest garage.

WHY CHOOSE AUTOTECH PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR OIL CHANGES?

• We use filters and oil that comply with or exceed manufacturers’ standards.
• We perform a 30-point safety inspection on your vehicle as part of this service.
• We fill up your windshield washer fluid free of charge.

WHAT ENGINE OIL TYPES ARE AVAILABLE AT AUTOTECH PERFORMANCE?

Conventional oil is the standard engine oil. It is made from crude oil extracted from the earth and refined in a plant. Various additives and processes are added to improve its viscosity (weight) and its engine protection properties. The most popular grades are 5W-30 and 5W-40, whereas as 10W-30 is rarely used.

Conventional oil’s greatest advantage is its cost. It’s the least expensive option to protect your engine and ensure you vehicle runs smoothly. For your information, we only use leading-brand oils. This is an efficient option provided you follow the manufacturer’s instructions relative to oil change frequency.

Synthetic oil, for its part, is entirely manufactured in a plant or laboratory. This makes it easier to control manufacturing processes as all materials are subject to much higher standards. Therefore, these oils are more refined and are better for your engine overall. The most popular grades are 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 5W-40, whereas as 0W-16 and 0W-40 are rarely used.

Entirely synthetic oil is slightly more expensive than conventional oil, but given that it is of superior quality, it also usually lasts longer. In addition, the mileage interval before having to replace this type of oil is wider than for conventional oils. Its greatest advantage is that its properties are consistent regardless of temperature. So, whether it’s hot or cold outside, your engine is well protected.

VALVOLINE PROTECTION PLAN

This maintenance service uses Valvoline products, equipment and processes that have been specifically designed so that your vehicle can reach its maximum performance level. When this service is part of a complete maintenance program and carried out under the terms and conditions of the Valvoline Protection Plan, your vehicle is covered by the plan, without time or mileage limits!