Oil Change, Hickory, NC
When you bring your car to our shop for a regular oil change, you can prevent a lot of issues that can cause damage to your vehicle.
Taking your car in for regular and routine maintenance is the easiest way to keep it running smoothly. One of the most important ways to protect your car is to take it in for a regular oil change. The frequency of oil changes that your car will need will depend on the type of oil and recommendations from the manufacturer. When the engine is running, oil runs through the parts to provide lubrication and engine cooling. When the moving parts in an engine rub together without proper lubricant, it will lead to problems much more quickly. You may notice smoking or grinding sounds coming from beneath the hood, both of which can lead to issues with engine oil.
Another reason that an oil change is so important is because parts inside the engine are constantly moving, causing particles to fall in the engine. When you have plenty of oil, it will aid in absorption of the particles. When you bring your vehicle to our team at Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center, each of our technicians knows how to take care of your vehicle. We have shops in Bristol, Lincolnton, Morganton, Taylorsville, and Hickory, North Carolina for your convenience.
Signs You're Overdue for an Oil Change
You know your car needs oil, and you know it needs to be changed often. At the same time, life gets busy, and you may not know if you're past due for an oil change or if you're still on track. If you fall into the category of not knowing, here are some signs it's time to schedule an appointment at Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center:
- Loud engine noises—Clean oil eliminates harmful friction between the parts in your engine as it operates. As your oil gets dirtier and dirtier, it won't lubricate your engine parts as well, which may result in louder noises as these parts rub against each other.
- The check engine light comes on—When this little light on your dash comes on, it may be due to not having enough oil for your system. Note that in many newer vehicle models, there's a specific "change oil" light that won't go away unless you get an oil change.
- Smoke from the exhaust—If you notice dark smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, there could be an oil leak somewhere in your engine. A quick oil change can alert you to this problem, so you can get it fixed sooner rather than later.
- Excessive mileage—The more miles you have on your car, the more often you need to change your oil. The good news is that regular oil changes can help your older car run even longer.
If you're due for an oil change, don't put it off! Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
During an oil change service, your technician will start by checking the condition and level of the oil. The next step is removing the oil pan from the bottom of your vehicle, which allows all the oil to drain out. Our technicians will make sure to properly dispose of the oil, so it won’t cause any damage to the environment. Your vehicle has a filtration system that removes impurities from the oil, including flecks of metal and dirt. The filter serves an important purpose in the overall health of your vehicle, similar to the way your kidneys filter out impurities in your body. Over time, the oil filter gets coated in oil and is no longer able to keep impurities out, leading to potential damage to the engine. The oil change process at Country Town & Tire Auto Service includes a filter replacement.
After removing the oil and changing the filter, your technician will reattach the oil pan and refill the reservoir with fresh, clean oil. You can choose from several brands and viscosities, or you can stick with what our technicians recommend. Full synthetic oil tends to last longer, which means you can go longer between oil changes, but not all manufacturers recommend using this type of oil. It’s also a bit more expensive than other types. When the oil reservoir is refilled, your oil change is complete, and you can get back on the road.
When you bring your car in for regular oil changes, you can prevent a lot of issues that can cause damage to your vehicle. Our technicians have a lot of experience with oil changes, so we will perform each step of the job correctly and have you on your way as soon as possible. Make sure to keep your engine running smoothly by keeping up with oil changes as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
