Skip’s Garage has provided you with the automotive repair and maintenance you need since 1968. We have been in business this long because we provide quality services at affordable prices. Our expert staff knows what they are doing, and they can perform maintenance on all types of vehicles, makes, and models.
One of our major services is providing people with their much-needed oil change. If you don’t know much about your engine oil and how it helps your car, you can learn more below. You can also check out the importance of regular oil changes and what type of engine oil you should use with your vehicle. Learn more about all of this below, and reach out to us at Skip’s Garage if you have any questions or would like to schedule service today.
What is an Oil Change?
When you own a car, there is a lot of maintenance that goes into it. You have to rotate your tires, replace your tires, change the brake pads, add brake fluid, add windshield wiper fluid, and so much more. However, one of the most important things you do for routine maintenance in your vehicle is to get an oil change.
An oil change is when you take the old oil from your vehicle and replace it with new oil. This is super important because oil is what keeps your engine functioning the way it should. The engine of a car or truck has a lot of different moving parts, and the oil in the engine lubricates these parts and absorbs heat from the engine so that it can continue to run smoothly without overheating. After use over a period of time, the oil will start to wear out and break down. The engine oil will become less effective at lubricating the engine. Eventually, the engine oil will completely break down or run out, but as a car owner, you need to get your oil changed before that happens.
Many people may wonder how often they need to get their oil changed. That answer depends on your specific vehicle and the type of engine oil that you choose to use. However, your owner’s manual should tell you that you need an oil change after a specific number of miles. Many mechanics suggest an oil change every 3,000 miles that you drive. However, some people think that 5,000 miles is a better interval to get their oil changed at. Some vehicles that use synthetic oil can get their oil changed after 10,000 miles. As you can see, it varies significantly depending on the vehicle and the type of oil, but you can always reach out to one of our mechanics at Skip’s Garage to get advice on when you should get your oil changed.
The Importance of Oil Changes
There are a lot of important reasons to get your engine oil changed regularly. Check out some of these reasons below.
- Keeps Engine Parts Lubricated – All the moving parts of an engine can wear down the engine and create friction. However, if your engine has the proper oil in it, the oil can help lubricate the engine and prevent wear and friction.
- Keeps Engine Cool – Moving parts like those in an engine create friction and heat when they move together. Engine oil works to prevent excess friction and prevent the engine from overheating.
- Removes Dirt and Other Particles – Engine oil not only lubricates and cools your engine, but it also removes dirt and other particles from your engine. Dirt particles are something that can cause corrosion and real damage to your engine, but oil carries those particles away.
- Keeps Your Engine Functioning for Longer – Regular oil changes help your engine run well and stay in good condition. The better you take care of your engine, the longer your engine and your vehicle will last. By simply getting oil changes when you should, you can help the longevity of your vehicle.
As you can see, oil changes are essential to your vehicle running and running well. If it is time for you to get an oil change, do not put it off any longer!
What Type of Oil Should I Use?
Now that we have discussed what oil changes are and why they are important, we can get a little bit more into the specific types of oil you can use in your car. People who do not know much about cars may assume there is just one type of oil for all cars, but this is not the case. There are a few types of oil, and these different types can help particular vehicles function even better. Check out the different types of oil below and when you should use these.
- Conventional Oil: Conventional oil is the most common oil because it is what has been used most in the past. Many customers still prefer the lower cost of conventional motor oil, particularly if their vehicle isn’t subject to severe driving conditions, such as dirty/dusty roads, lots of short trips, driving in extreme heat or cold, and towing heavy loads. Conventional oil is great for light-duty cars with low mileage. It is also ideal for older models because these older models were designed with conventional oil in mind.
- High Mileage Oil: High mileage oil was created specifically for vehicles with over 75,000 miles. This type of oil helps keep engines that have been around the block a few times running better longer by reducing oil burn-off, oil leaks, and gradual loss of compression.
- Synthetic Oil (“Full Synthetic Motor Oil”): This specially formulated motor oil is made for the highest levels of protection and performance. This oil was designed to last longer than conventional motor oil, and it was designed to perform better. Synthetic oil has higher viscosity levels and higher resistance to breakdown. Those factors help this oil keep your car running well for longer. However, because this type of oil can last longer than conventional motor oil, this oil does have a higher cost than conventional oil. Synthetic oil can be great for vehicles that do a lot of towing or hauling, and it can also be good for vehicles that are in extreme weather areas.
- Synthetic Blend Oil: This is a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils that serves as a midpoint between the two: better protection and performance than conventional oil can provide, especially in severe driving conditions, but not as good as a full synthetic oil. However, a synthetic blend can be more affordable than fully synthetic oil, so it can be the best of both worlds for many people.
Which type of oil should you use in your vehicle? Your owner’s manual probably suggests what type of oil might be the best for your car, but if you want an expert opinion, you can reach out to us at Skip’s Garage. Our knowledgeable staff can tell you what type of oil will work best for you, and we can help you get an oil change today.
Choose Skip’s Garage for Your Service 
You don’t want to get your car fixed just anywhere. You want to get vehicle service with someone you trust. At Skip’s Garage, we offer you great service, and there are a lot of reasons to choose us. Check out some of these reasons below.
- Knowledgeable Staff – At Skip’s, we have staff that is extremely knowledgeable about all different types of vehicles. They know about the latest ways to make repairs and keep up with vehicle maintenance, so you can rest assured your car is in good hands. We keep our staff trained and up to date on the latest industry knowledge and equipment.
- Affordable Prices – We also offer you affordable prices so that you can get your car back on the road without overspending. We can help you fit your needed car maintenance in your budget.
- We Care for You – We want to get your car working quickly for you. We know that your life is busy and you need your car to keep up with all your daily tasks. We want you to know that we truly care about you and getting your car working the way it needs to. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have about your vehicle or the service it needs.
As you can see, there are several reasons to choose Skip’s Garage. Another reason to choose us is that we service the north shore of MA and southern NH. Learn more about this below.
Serving the North Shore of MA and Southern NH
It is important to find a reliable place to maintain your car and get it repaired when necessary. Skip’s Garage could be that place for you. We are located at 157 Plaistow Road in Plaistow, New Hampshire, and we are serving the surrounding areas. Whether you are in southern New Hampshire or the north shore of Massachusetts, we have you covered for your auto repairs. Reach out to us today to get something scheduled.