Cost of Oil Changes: Is It Worth It?

While many types of maintenance can help keep your vehicle in peak condition, few are simpler or more crucial than a routine oil change. There are numerous reasons why you should change your oil on a regular basis, the primary of which is that your engine's performance will improve. Like all kinds of maintenance, an oil change costs money. Here is a comprehensive guide that covers the cost expected of an oil change and whether it's worth it. 

How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?

By sticking to the maintenance schedule that's listed in your car's manual, you'll be able to keep it running smoothly. While some forms of maintenance are expensive, oil changes are among the most affordable ones you can seek for your vehicle. The costs associated with an oil change can vary, but the service usually ranges from $25 to $100. There are several reasons why costs differ, which include:

• Where you live: The city or town you live in has an impact on the cost of your oil change. When you live in a place with a high cost of living, an oil change will usually cost more.
• The oil you use: There are several different types of oil available to you, including everything from conventional oil to synthetic oil. The additives in synthetic oil are designed to protect the vehicle's engine, which is why costs are higher. You'll also pay more for the synthetic blends that fall between conventional and synthetic oil.
• Your vehicle's year, make, and model: If you drive a luxury car, the manufacturer likely recommends that you use a more expensive type of oil. Anyone who drives a larger vehicle will require additional oil during an oil change, which causes costs to rise.

It may also be possible to lower the cost of an oil change with oil change offers and discounts.

Conventional Oil vs. Synthetic Oil

During an oil change service in Euless and North Richland Hills, you'll get a new oil filter and four to five quarts of your preferred oil. The main difference in the price you pay hinges on the type and quality of oil you select. Vehicle owners can generally choose from several types of oil, but newer cars might require full synthetic oil. In this scenario, you shouldn't use conventional oil, as doing so may result in your warranty being voided. While conventional oil isn't as high quality or long lasting as synthetic oil, it costs much less. On the other hand, synthetic oil ensures that your vehicle's engine sustains less wear and tear.

What's Included With an Oil Change?

When you request an oil change at Parra Car Care, our mechanics will:

• Replace your old filter with a new one
• Lift the vehicle to get rid of the dirty oil
• Inspect the in-cabin filter and engine filter
• Refill your vehicle's engine with new oil
• Lubricate the door hinges, chassis, hood, and any other high-wear spots
• Add windshield washer fluid and coolant as necessary
• Inspect the tire pressure, wiper blades, belts, and hoses
• Look at other fluids in your vehicle, including the power steering and brake fluids

When To Get an Oil Change

There are many signs that it may be time to seek an oil change. While many individuals abide by the 3,000-mile rule, every car's different. The main signs that you need an oil change include:

• Loud or strange sounds
• Low oil levels on the vehicle's dipstick
• Worse engine performance
• Dark oil that appears black
• An engine light that’s flashing or continually on

If you notice any of these signs, contact Parra Car Care today to schedule your next service. 

Is An Oil Change Service Worth It?

The main reason to get an oil change is to effectively lubricate the engine's interior components, which will keep wear and tear at bay. If you don't schedule an oil change, friction will accumulate around the engine's moving parts. When there's too much friction in these areas, the entire system will need to work harder than normal, which leads to the production of excess pressure and heat throughout the whole engine.

Keep in mind that many vehicles include engine controls that impact the engine's efficiency, gas mileage, and emissions. Oil pressure powers these controls. If your vehicle's oil levels are too low, these controls won't work as intended. 

Schedule an Oil Change With Parra Car Care

If you would like to take the necessary steps to make sure that your vehicle remains in great condition, scheduling oil changes regularly is a necessary component of any preventive maintenance routine. Over time, the quality of your oil worsens because of the contaminants that accumulate. These contaminants start to get into filters and can eventually move into the engine. Along with the friction issues mentioned previously, these contaminants cause engine wear while decreasing fuel efficiency. 

Oil changes cost money, though they are affordable. Even if you use full synthetic oil, you'll be saving a considerable sum of money in future repairs. Paying these costs now allows you to protect your vehicle and maintain the engine's quality, which makes this service worth the money.

Call Parra Car Care today to schedule our services and learn more about the oil change deals we offer.