Ensuring a Proper Oil Change: Best Practices and Recommendations

When it comes to maintaining the health of your vehicle, ensuring a proper oil change is crucial. This not only affects the performance of your engine but also ensures safety on the road. In this article, we will discuss the best practices and recommendations for ensuring a thorough and effective oil change during your car service.

There are two main approaches to oil changes: performing it yourself or leaving it to a professional technician. Each method has its pros and cons, which we will explore in detail.

Performing an Oil Change Yourself

If you are knowledgeable, skilled, and confident, you can methodically perform an oil change on your own. However, it's important to remember that working under a 4000-pound vehicle always carries some risk. To mitigate these risks, there are several steps you can take:

Geometric Precision: Mark the oil filter before the service to check for accuracy afterward. Clean and Clear Verification: Check the oil stick post-service to ensure it is clean and has a golden mark, indicating proper draining. Personal Safety: Ensure you use proper tools and follow safety guidelines to avoid accidents.

Leaving It to the Professionals

For the vast majority of car owners, relying on a skilled and trained technician is the safer and more reliable option. Here are some steps to ensure you find a reputable service:

Quality Service Providers: Choose a shop that employs actual technicians, not just inexperienced employees. Look for ASE Certified techs or even better, ASE Blue Seal Certified shops. Comprehensive Inspection: Ensure the shop offers a free or low-cost safety inspection with the oil change. This can help identify any safety-related issues early on, reducing the risk of accidents. Proper Procedures: Make sure the technician follows the correct procedures for your specific car model. Specifications for oil filters and drain plugs can vary, and not adhering to them can lead to significant issues later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Untrained and unskilled workers can lead to several common issues during an oil change, such as:

Torque Issues: Incorrectly tightening the oil cap can cause it to crack or become impossible to remove. Damage to Components: Over-tightening the drain plug can distort or strip the threads in the oil pan, leading to expensive repairs. Wasted Time: Overlooking necessary steps like tightening the cap to the correct torque can lead to additional costs in subsequent oil changes.

To avoid these issues, ensure the technician you choose follows all necessary procedures and uses the correct specifications for your car model.

Conclusion

The decision between performing an oil change yourself or leaving it to a professional is a personal one, but keeping in mind the safety and reliability of your vehicle should be the primary factor. By choosing a reputable service provider and ensuring proper procedures are followed, you can rest assured that your vehicle is receiving the best possible care.

Remember, a quality oil change is a small investment in keeping your vehicle running smoothly and safely on the road. Whether you choose to do it yourself or rely on a professional, staying informed and vigilant is crucial.