Scheduling regular oil changes and basic vehicle maintenance are an important way to preserve your engine's health and make sure that your car continues to run smoothly for many years to come. At Tillema Auto, we pride ourselves on being one of the top auto shops for oil changes in the Byron Center area. We're happy to assist you in keeping your car in tip-top shape so that you can depend on it to get you where you need to go.
Why Are Regular Oil Changes Important?
Regular oil changes are essential for the health and longevity of your vehicle's engine. Why? Well, engine oil serves as a lubricant that reduces friction between moving parts. This lubricant prevents excessive wear and tear.
Over time, the oil can become contaminated with dirt, debris, and combustion byproducts, therefore losing its effectiveness. When you neglect to change your oil, it can lead to increased engine friction, overheating, and even engine damage.
Routine oil changes help maintain optimal engine performance, improve fuel efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your vehicle. By sticking to a regular oil change schedule, you're not just ensuring a smoother, more reliable ride, but also protecting your investment in your car and potentially avoiding costly repairs down the road.
How often should you change your oil?
Our recommendation is to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles if you're using semi-synthetic oil. Using full synthetic, you should change your oil approximately every 5,000 miles.
Some manufacturers will suggest longer intervals. However, in order to keep your engine well lubricated and preserve your engine's health to extend its lifetime as long as possible, we recommend sticking with 3,000/5,000 miles (depending on the type of oil you use).
Regular Car Maintenance for Michigan Residents
Although many car maintenance practices are universal for nearly all vehicle owners, there are also certain practices that are especially applicable to Michigan residents. If you live in Michigan, what types of vehicle maintenance should you be getting on a regular basis?
Oil changes. Oil changes are one of those tasks that everyone who drives a car needs to do. As we mentioned above, oil changes preserve your engine's health and prevent damage.
Tire rotation and care. Everyone needs to make sure that their tires are rotated regularly, have the correct pressure, and are replaced before the tread gets too low. But Michigan residents should also consider switching out your all-season tires for winter tires during the snowy and icy months. This is the best option for maintaining traction on slippery roads.
Top off your fluids. It's important to make sure that your fluids - such as engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid - are topped off and clean.
Wash your vehicle. The salt from Michigan roads can quickly damage the paint and frame of your vehicle, causing rust and other issues. Washing your vehicle regularly helps to keep it clean from salt and preserve its paint and frame for as long as possible.
What's Included in an Oil Change at Tillema Auto?
At Tillema Auto's service center, we check on your vehicle's vital components during your oil change to make sure that you're road ready. Oil changes include not only changing the oil, but also checking the filter and all of your vehicle's fluid levels. In addition, we'll check your tire pressure and all of the major components of your vehicle.
Schedule Your Oil Change at Tillema Auto!
At Tillema Auto, our service center is standing by, ready to help with your vehicle's needs. We want to help you make sure that your vehicle is in good shape and will get you where you need to go safely. Call us at 616-878-5991 today!
