Maintenance is part of owning a car. Bringing your vehicle in for maintenance is a lot like getting a check-up at the doctor’s office. It’s necessary to make sure everything is functioning properly. One of the services your car will receive practically every time you bring it in for maintenance is an oil change.
While it’s a regular service, it’s also very important, but why? What’s the point of an oil change? How long does an oil change take? And how do you know when to get one? To help drivers in Stratham, Portsmouth, and Exeter, NH, BMW of Stratham answers those questions and more.
If you need to get an oil change, it usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes. This can obviously vary and depends on several different factors, such as how long it’s been since your last one, what you drive, and the size of your vehicle’s oil tank.
It’s important to get regular oil changes to keep your engine in good condition. Fortunately, getting one is both easy and convenient. Since they’re part of your routine maintenance, they can be completed relatively quickly. At our BMW dealership, our service center is committed to getting basic maintenance procedures like oil changes completed quickly and properly.
How often you should get an oil change depends on the car you drive and the oil you use. After all, a compact car and a large SUV are likely going to have very different maintenance schedules. You can check your owner’s manual to find the most accurate recommendation for your vehicle, but there are some general estimates as well.
The average vehicle that runs on conventional oil should get an oil change every 5,000 to 7,000 miles or every six months. Conventional oil is usually found in older used cars. It’s derived from crude oil and contains some natural impurities that, over time, can be good for the engine’s performance.
However, most new cars and SUVs use synthetic oil. It’s designed to last longer and operate under more extreme temperatures. If your car uses fully synthetic oil, you only need to get an oil change once a year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles.
Those estimates apply to general driving conditions. If your vehicle is regularly exposed to extreme driving conditions, you’ll likely need to get your oil changed more often. Some examples of extreme driving conditions include:
Clean oil helps your vehicle’s engine work properly by lubricating the different moving parts to prevent friction. It also keeps those parts nice and cool. When they move against each other and cause that friction, the engine gets very hot. If the engine overheats, it can break down, resulting in a costly repair. The friction will also cause the engine to make a loud knocking sound, which will impact your driving experience.
Additionally, oil will pick up dirt and debris over time. If you don’t change the oil out, sludge will form. This will speed up corrosion and cause the engine to wear.
Another reason why you should get regular oil changes has to do with fuel economy. Dirty oil causes the engine to overcompensate and work harder than normal. With clean oil, the engine doesn’t have to strain to function properly. This results in the engine consuming less gas, which gives you significant fuel savings in the long run.
Oil changes are a part of your routine maintenance, but what if you’re not sure how long it’s been since you went in for maintenance? Don’t worry. Your vehicle can provide you with some signs that it needs new oil. Schedule an oil change at our service center if you notice any of the following:
If your car is due for an oil change, then bring it to our state-of-the-art service center. Our technicians have years of experience performing oil changes on various cars. Not only will they supply fresh oil, but they’ll also use the right type for your automobile.
Additionally, we have various service specials on our website. Not only can they include oil changes, but they can also be for services like oil filter replacement, tire rotations, battery replacements, and more. Check our parts and service specials to see what we’re offering today.
If you need an oil change near Stratham, Portsmouth, or Exeter, NJ, then schedule service at BMW of Stratham. Our experienced service technicians can take care of all your maintenance, and help you take care of your car. Contact us if you have any additional service questions or schedule service online.
