Oil Change

Cheaper than a new engine

How often should you change your oil?

This depends on your vehicle manufacturer who will advise on a specific oil change interval depending on the vehicle you drive. Check your vehicle handbook for specific details on when to change your engine oil.

Service Details

If your car is not yet due its Interim Service or Full Service, our Essential Car Care package combines an oil change with a number of important vehicle safety checks at an affordable price.

Contact us today if you want to take preventative vehicle maintenance measures to maintain optimum performance levels without the cost of a full service.

As well as a full oil change and oil filter replacement, we’ll check some of the most important parts of your car which can often result in an MOT failure.

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Engine Oil Drained

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Replacement Sump Plug Washer

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Oil refill based on manufactures recommendation

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Replacement Oil Filter

How do you know if your vehicle needs an oil change?

1. Check Engine or Oil Change Light

The most obvious alert that there’s an issue with your oil will come from the car itself. The oil change light in your vehicle will illuminate when there’s not enough oil in the system, so check the dipstick to see what’s happening. In worse cases, the check engine light will illuminate. This is your car warning you that things have gotten so bad that the engine is at risk of damage due to problem parts or lack of lubrication.

2. Engine Noise and Knocking

Oil provides a protective layer between engine parts, avoiding metal-to-metal brushing and keeping the engine quiet. If your oil isn’t doing its job properly, the engine noise will increase. In severe cases, you may even hear knocking or rumbling sounds that signify your engine is tearing itself apart bit by bit through lack of lubrication.

3. Dark, Dirty Oil

Clean oil is amber in color and slightly translucent. As it is used, it becomes filled with particles collected from the engine and turns darker. It will not be obvious when this begins to happen, so you must be vigilant and check your engine oil at least once a month. To do this, remove the dipstick and wipe it off before returning it to the oil tank. Now take it out a second time. If you cannot see the dipstick through the oil, it is time for an oil change.

4. Oil Smell Inside the Car

If you smell oil inside the car, it can often signify an oil leak. If you also smell gas or exhaust fumes, the vehicle may be overheating. Either way, you will want to schedule maintenance immediately.

5. Exhaust Smoke

Some translucent vapor will always come out of your car’s tailpipe, but if this changes to smoke, it’s time for an engine check-up. You may have faulty engine parts or an oil leak.

6. Excessive Mileage

If you’ve traveled a lot of miles in the last month, consider whether you need an oil change sooner than your normal schedule. Every car is different, but most should have their oil changed every 3,000 miles or three months. New vehicles usually require a change of oil every 6,000 miles or six months. Check your owner’s handbook for specific guidelines.

CHECK MY OIL

Oil Change Information

Engine Oil

Most cars on the road today use multi-grade oil — one that can work efficiently in cold and hot weather. A multi-grade oil is rated by two numbers, such as 5W-30.

Oil Classification

Each engine oil comes with a classification indicating its viscosity, which is its friction or resistance to flow. In a multi-grade oil, the first number indicates how the oil will flow when it is cold.

The lower the number, the lighter the oil and the better it will perform at lower temperatures. The second number indicates the thickness of that same oil at high temperatures.

For example, a 5W-30 oil will flow as a 5-weight oil at zero degrees Fahrenheit and as a 30-weight oil at 210 degrees Fahrenheit

Oil Viscosity

During cold starting, only a small amount of oil is present in the upper parts of engines. To lessen the friction when upper engine parts, such as the valve train, pistons, overhead cam and cam bearings, scrub against each other, a lower viscosity allows the oil to reach the components more quickly.

Why 5W-30 and 5W-20 Oil?

Many vehicles today leave the factory with 5W-30 or 5w-20 engine oil. Vehicle manufacturers recommend them because they are lighter oils that perform well in a range of temperatures and help improve gas mileage.

Synthetic Oils

Not all motor engine oils are 100% petroleum. Synthetic oils, which are primarily chemically compounded lubricants, are also available.

They can provide:

* Higher viscosity stability over a wider temperature range

* Reduced oil thickening

* Reduced wear and increased load-carrying ability.

The right oil for your car

The simplest and safest way to find out is to check your owner’s manual…or talk to your Eurotow mechanic.

Oil Filters

Oil filters are designed to trap foreign particles suspended in the oil and prevent them from getting to the engine bearings and other parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I don't drive alot. Do I still need an oil change?

Your owner’s manual should give you a recommended mileage interval and a recommended time interval for an oil change – for example, it might say “every 5,000 miles or every six months.” To help keep your car in tip-top shape, follow whichever oil change interval comes first – in your case, probably the time interval.

Q: Should I always use the same brand of oil in my car?

It’s okay to change the brand, but not necessarily the type (conventional, high-mileage, synthetic oil). Your local Midas service technician can help you find the right oil for your make and model.

Q: What does oil viscosity grade mean?

“Viscosity” is the fancy word for the motor oil’s thickness. Your Eurotow service technician can help you determine the right viscosity for your make and model.

You can also check your owner’s manual or oil cap for manufacturer recommendations.

Q: Will my engine light come on if I need an oil change?

Nope. If your “Check Engine” light comes on, it’s an indicator that something’s up, but don’t fret. It may be something small. Bring your vehicle in to Eurotow at your earliest convenience so we can take a look.

Q: Why is it bad for my car if I don't change my oil regularly?

Oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine and keeps them cool by lowering friction and carrying heat away. It also keeps any grit or tiny particles from scratching tightly-fitted parts.

Heat breaks down oil and can make the oil gummy or watery (or both), so that it doesn’t lubricate properly. And the longer it’s in the engine, the more contaminated it gets.

Q: Should I consider using synthetic oil?

Synthetic oil lubricates better than traditional motor oil, and it stands up to high heat better without turning into gel or getting watery. Some blends of synthetic oil are designed to keep high-mileage vehicles rolling longer. Others are meant for high-performance engines. Still others can help to improve your car’s fuel mileage.

Q: How often should I change my oil?

I have always heard every 3,000 miles, but my car manual says every 7.000 miles?

Rules of thumb are great, but it’s always best to follow the manufacturer recommendations regarding oil changes as outlined in your owner’s manual.

Q: What is an oil pan and what does it do?

In a nutshell, the oil pan is a reservoir located in the bottom of the engine’s crankcase. It holds additional oil for lubrication of the engine and also helps ensure that the engine does not run out of oil.