Oil changes are a part of car maintenance that you know you need to pay attention to, but it is so easy to forget or overlook. It’s fairly obvious when you have a flat tire. Likewise, if your dog is running away at your squealing brakes, it’s easy to tell that it is time to take in your vehicle for maintenance.
However, you can’t “hear” that oil needs to be changed like you do for other obvious car problems. For that reason, it’s important to know how to check your oil and when to take in your car to get an oil change.
Why Regular Oil Changes are Necessary
A car’s engine is a system of moving metallic parts. When the parts come in contact with one another, they create friction. The friction from parts moving against each other generate lots of heat. This unwanted heat can cause individual engine components to to fuse together, warp, or break.
Oil helps lubricate engine parts, making them slide against one another with ease and reducing heat. That’s why it is important to maintain a good engine oil level.
In addition to making sure you have enough oil in your engine, you have to check on the condition of the oil already in there. Oil can deteriorate over time, losing its ability to lubricate the engine parts. If an unpleasant smell comes from your engine or you notice the oil becoming dirty, these are clear indications for an oil change. If you ignore your engine oil, contaminants and sludge will form in the crankcase, eat metal parts, collect water, and worse.
Checking Your Own Oil
It’s easy to check your own oil to see if you need to either add oil or change the oil entirely. A dipstick helps you check to see if the oil needs to be changed.
- First, make sure your engine has been turned off for at least ten minutes.
- Pop your hood and locate the dipstick.
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe it across a lint-free cloth.
- Then place the dipstick back in the reservoir and pull it out.
- Check for an oily film on the dipstick’s end.
Note the level and color of oil.
- If the oil level is low, you might need to add more oil.
- If the oil is a clear golden brown color, your oil is in good shape.
- If it’s a silty dark brown or black with floating particles, it’s time to bring your car in for service.
When to Schedule an Oil Change at Asheboro Honda
You may find varying information about the best time to bring in your car for an oil change, but that is because your driving habits and your car’s age can make a difference. In general, you should get your oil changed every 3,000-10,000 miles, aiming for every 5,000 miles.
Your driving habits matter quite a bit when determining how often to get an oil change. If you take your Honda Pilot or Odyssey on long weekend road trips to sports tournaments or outdoor adventures, you’ll have different needs than if you use your Honda Civic for short, local errands during the week. If you have a long commute in your Honda Accord, you may put more miles on it and need to change your oil more frequently than if you mainly use your CR-Z on the weekends for sporty Sunday drives.
Oil Changes at Asheboro Honda
If you live near Asheboro, North Carolina, and you’re wondering, “Where can I get an oil change near me?”—the answer is Asheboro Honda.
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff in our Service Department knows how to change your oil, help you select the right type of motor oil for your vehicle, and make it easy for you to schedule a service appointment.
Whether you have a brand new Honda or a pre-owned vehicle, we do quality work no matter what you bring to us. Check out our Specials page to see if we have any coupons for a discount on your next visit.
If you need an oil change, call us at (888) 675-6091. We look forward to working with you!
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