Oil Change near Lynn MA
Six months or 5,000 miles: You’ve heard the mantra, whether on the radio or at one of our service centers. That’s how often you should change your oil, whichever comes first. But why are oil changes so important? And why should you do it so often? And what exactly happens during an oil change anyway?
Ira Toyota of Manchester’s quick guide to oil changes near Lynn, MA, will answer all those questions. Whether your vehicle is in need of an oil change or you’re merely interested in learning more about car maintenance, read on to find about the whys, the hows, and what to watch out for.
Why Do You Need an Oil Change?
The first question you might have is why do you even need to have an oil change performed? Your engine, in basic terms, is powered by tiny explosions of igniting fuel and rapidly moving pistons. Unsurprisingly, all that friction and explosions create a substantial amount of heat. Too much, and the engine could overheat, which can lead to costly repairs down the line.
That’s where the oil comes in. Oil lubricates the mechanisms that power your engine and reduces the amount of heat created from friction. Over time, the oil can become dirty and less effective at lubrication, which is why you need to regularly change it for clean oil.
Signs You Need an Oil Change
Now that you know the why, it’s time to learn about what to look out for. The easiest sign to spot when it comes to changing your oil is that the dashboard light shaped like an oil can with a drop spilling from it will illuminate. This is your check oil light, and it alerts you that the oil is low or needs a change.
There are other signs you can watch out for, though.
If you’re at a stop light and notice your Toyota is vibrating slightly, that could indicate a need for an oil change. Or if you notice a strange noise as you’re driving down the road, that’s another sign to have your vehicle’s oil checked. Toyota having a rough time starting? You guessed it—time to have the oil checked!
What Happens During an Oil Change?
What happens during an oil change is quite simple. We’ll bring your car into our service bay and pop open the hood. We’ll drain the old oil and package it away for proper disposal, since used oil is considered a biohazard. Next, we’ll inspect the oil filter, which helps prevent debris from getting into the engine mechanisms.
If the filter is undamaged, we’ll clean it and put it back in. If the filter is damaged or too dirty, we may need to contact our parts department to replace it. Once we replace the filter, we’ll top off the oil and send you on your way.
If it has been an especially long time between oil changes, we may want to run some fresh oil with cleaner through the engine to make sure there’s no dirt or clogs within the mechanisms.
Visit Our Service Center for an Oil Change near Lynn MA
If your vehicle needs an oil change near Lynn, MA, you can count on the service team at Ira Toyota of Danvers. Our experienced team of Toyota-certified technicians is here to help you get safely back on the road.
Contact us about your next oil change today!