Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change: Fairfax Driver’s Checklist
If you don’t get an oil change in Fairfax, VA, every so often, it won’t be long before you regret it. Regular oil changes can keep your vehicle running like it should, protect your engine from wear and tear, and even extend the service life of your car.
Creating an oil change schedule should help you meet your vehicle’s oil change service needs most of the time, but even this method isn’t foolproof. By following the tips featured in this article, you’ll know when your car might need a Valvoline oil change earlier than expected — and where to go for this vital service.
Schedule Your Oil Change Now!
Know These Oil Change Warning Signs
As a responsible Fairfax driver, you should always be on the lookout for oil-related red flags, such as:
Warning Lights
Since most motorists don’t have access to specialized engine diagnostic equipment, understanding the cause of an active check engine light can be tricky. Among countless other issues, low oil levels can trigger this dashboard light.
When your check engine light turns on, stop by your local Fairfax auto shop immediately. The mechanics working there can identify the underlying problem and set things right, as well as determine whether you simply need an oil change.
A Low Oil Level
If you make a point of getting oil changes regularly, you might not think you’re at risk of running out of motor oil. However, this could still happen between oil change service appointments.
Because of that, it’s in your best interest to check your oil level now and then. If your car is relatively old, you’ll probably need to manually assess your oil level by using the dipstick under the hood. That’s not always the case for newer vehicles that tend to come with fully integrated systems for monitoring oil levels.
Changes to Travel Habits
Have you been traveling more often than usual as of late? If so, you should know that extra travel can be a source of stress for your vehicle — and your motor oil. Thus, you should always check your oil level after a road trip.
Dirty Motor Oil
Though the amount of motor oil in your vehicle certainly matters, the cleanliness of this oil is just as important. Once your oil gets dirty, it can’t provide your engine sufficient protection (regardless of how high your oil level is).
The texture of your oil also matters — motor oil should be thin in consistency, not gloopy or thick. When your oil has a strange texture or contains visible debris, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
Strange Noises
No one wants to hear unexpected sounds from their engine while on the road, and knocking noises certainly fall into that category. Fortunately, this may not indicate that your engine has run into serious trouble, but instead, it could simply be a result of aging motor oil. If that’s the case, you should be able to set things right by scheduling a car oil change.
Dirty oil also takes a relatively long time to flow through your vehicle’s engine. Therefore, you might hear a ticking noise when you turn your car on.
Exhaust Pipe Smoke
If you spot smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, it’s easy to tell that something’s amiss. However, identifying the problem might be trickier than you’d think.
When gray or blue smoke is coming from your exhaust pipe, there’s a chance that your oil is about to run out. In that case, you’ll want to set up a service appointment right away, either to get your oil changed or to address whatever else could be causing this symptom.
What Type of Oil Change Is Best?
If you’re planning to set up an oil change in Fairfax, VA, you should know that there are two basic types of oil changes to choose from. Depending on which shop you select for this work, you could end up getting a:
Quick Oil Change
A quick oil change is easy to understand — after all, this service is exactly what it sounds like. The mechanics performing a standard Valvoline oil change will remove your vehicle’s dirty motor oil before replacing it with clean oil. However, they won’t do any additional tasks while providing this service.
Full-Service Oil Change
Like quick oil changes, full-service oil changes focus on removing and replacing your car’s motor oil — but this service doesn’t stop there. During a full-service oil change, mechanics will also work on several other maintenance tasks, such as replacing your oil filter, inspecting your vehicle, and topping off fluids. To benefit from these perks, Fairfax drivers should make sure their auto shop of choice offers full-service oil changes.
Get the Finest Oil Change in Fairfax
When you need an oil change in Fairfax, VA, no auto shop does a better job of handling this task than Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto. Our qualified mechanics take pride in providing full-service oil changes, and you’ll get opportunities to save with our coupons and financing opportunities. To get started, schedule your appointment for a car oil change today!
