Oil Change Service in Sterling, VA
An oil change is one of the fastest, most affordable services you can have done on your car or truck, but drivers often put off this important maintenance task. Keep your engine in good working order with an oil change service from our auto repair shop in Sterling. You’ll have your oil change taken care of by experienced mechanics who provide these services and more:
- New oil filter installation
- Air-filter check
- Fluid top-offs
- Lubrication of all fittings
- Engine examination
- Belt and hose check
- Tire-inflation check
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The Importance of Oil Change Services
As oil moves through your engine, it not only lubricates thousands of components but also transfers heat away from the engine and picks up dirt and debris, which is caught by the oil filter. Over time, the oil filter gets clogged, and the oil itself can’t carry any more contaminants.
Dirty oil can have several unwanted effects on your vehicle, including:
- Compromising your engine’s performance or even causing it to seize
- Producing excess noxious engine emissions
- Reducing your gas mileage due to friction slowing down your engine
It’s easy to see how the relatively minor cost of an oil change can save you money. You can save even more by checking our coupons page before you come into our Sterling auto shop for your next oil change.
Get Quality Oil Changes and Repairs in Sterling, VA
To make sure you get the best performance from your vehicle, we use only high-quality Valvoline products. When you come to us for a Valvoline oil change, our Sterling mechanics will use Valvoline Premium Conventional oil, Valvoline Synthetic Blend oil, or Valvoline Full Synthetic oil. These products protect against the effects of extreme temperatures, stop-and-go driving, towing heavy loads, and more. In addition, Valvoline oils clean the dirt and sludge that other oils may leave behind.
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Set a Regular Oil Change Schedule
To determine how often you should have an oil change, start with your vehicle manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. Your owner’s manual should have this information as well as the recommended type and grade of oil that’s best for your car or truck.
If you can’t find that information, every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is a standard recommendation, but you may need an oil change more often or less frequently depending on the type of vehicle you have and your usual driving conditions. The oil change pros at our Sterling auto shop location will be glad to make a recommendation on the schedule that’s right for you.
How to Check Your Engine Oil Level
In between oil change services, it’s easy to check your oil. Try to do this at least once a month and check it before you go on any long-distance trips. Here’s what to do:
- Make sure your car is on level ground.
- Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle.
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe it, then reinsert it as far as it can go.
- Remove the dipstick again and look at the tip.
If the oil level is below the bottom line on the dipstick, you can add a small amount of oil at a time. If, however, your oil appears to be particularly dirty, you should schedule an oil change service in Sterling and get a new oil filter.
Book Your Oil Change Service in Sterling Today
We make it easy to take care of this important maintenance task: Just choose your preferred appointment date and time with our online appointment scheduler, and we’ll get back to you to confirm your oil change appointment.
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Sterling Oil Change Service FAQ
What makes oil changes essential in Sterling, VA?
Can I change my own oil?
Where can I get an oil change in Sterling?
What type of Valvoline oil change do I need?
There are two basic types of motor oil available today: conventional and synthetic. In most cases, vehicles can use either type of oil without issues. That said, your car may benefit more from using one kind of oil over the other.
Conventional oil doesn’t cost as much as synthetic oil upfront, but you’ll need to replace it more often, and it’s more susceptible to temperature changes. Conversely, synthetic oil is pricier, but it doesn’t need to be replaced as often. It can also adapt to extreme temperatures and lubricate your engine more effectively than conventional oil.
When should I schedule my next oil change service?
As a Northern Virginia driver, you’ve probably heard that you should get an oil change every 3,000 miles or three months. That is a classic rule of thumb, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of oil change scheduling. To set up the right oil change schedule for you, you’ll need to consider your vehicle’s age and your driving habits.
Some driving types can be considered “severe.” While that might sound intimidating, it’s nothing to worry about—if you adjust your oil change schedule accordingly, that is. Do you regularly drive in hot or cold weather, on dirt roads, or in traffic jams? If so, you might be a severe driver, and you should get oil changes more often as a result.
Can I save on my next oil change?
How can I set up an oil change in Sterling?
What does a full-service oil change consist of?
At Hogan & Sons in Sterling, our ASE-certified mechanics do more than just change your oil. Our full-service oil change also includes:
- Installing a new oil filter
- Checking the air filter
- Oiling the chassis
- Checking all fluids and topping them off if necessary
- Checking the condition of belts and hoses
- Checking the tire pressure
- Inspecting the entire undercarriage
- Properly handling the old oil
For your convenience, you can make an appointment with us online for your next oil change in Sterling, VA.
How often do you really need an oil change?
The long-standing recommendation of changing your oil every 3,000 miles or three months isn’t the standard for modern vehicles. Today, most car makers suggest an interval of 5,000 to 7,500 miles or more for normal driving conditions, depending on the type of oil used. The right interval for you may be different if you fall outside the norm and usually drive under other conditions. These include:
- Repeated short trips of fewer than five miles in cold weather
- Driving in stop-and-go traffic, particularly during hot weather
- Regularly hauling or towing heavy loads
- Driving on dusty or dirt roads
All of the conditions above dictate the need for more frequent oil changes. If you’re unsure which oil change schedule is best for you, our expert mechanics will be happy to make a recommendation.
Does synthetic oil clean your engine?
Synthetic oil delivers the highest engine protection, including the ability to keep your engine clean. It also allows you to go longer between oil changes, potentially up to 10,000 miles, depending on how you drive and your usual driving conditions.
Synthetic oil keeps your engine cleaner than conventional oil by resisting the deposits and sludge that form over time. Although synthetic oil is more expensive than other types of oil, it offers many more advantages. If you have questions about which type of oil is best for your vehicle, our mechanics can answer them. We offer Valvoline oil changes at our Sterling auto repair shop to help keep your engine cleaner and running better.
What happens if you don’t change your oil?
The importance of regular oil changes can’t be overstated. Put simply, ignoring oil changes can lead to you having to replace your engine or buy a new car.
As oil circulates throughout your engine, it reduces friction and prevents overheating by lubricating moving parts. Along the way, it also gathers dirt, contaminants, and deposits that are caught by the oil filter. Without replacing both the oil and the oil filter, debris will keep circulating through the engine, prematurely wearing down parts and allowing excessive heat build-up. When the engine overheats, the head gasket can blow, or the engine will seize as metal parts grind against each other. A seized engine can’t be repaired, and new engines are very expensive. You may even find the cost so high that purchasing another vehicle would be more economical.
We know that maintenance services aren’t always in your budget, but oil changes are essential to the life of your car. To help you save, we always offer coupons for our oil change services in Sterling, VA.