Oil Change in New Prague, MN

Commuting to and from Lakeville, Minnesota, can stress your car's engine. The engine oil keeps the moving parts inside the engine lubricated, protecting them from the friction and high heat of the combustion process. The oil breaks down over time, reducing its ability to lubricate and protect. Particulates also collect in the oil, further hampering its functionality and damaging the engine if you don't replace it regularly. At Jeff Belzer Dodge Ram Lakeville, we've put together this quick guide to oil changes and why they're so important.

The Oil Change Process

Changing your car's engine oil is simple and quick if you have a professional do it. Our service center technicians receive continuous training to remain updated on the latest parts and repair practices, including oil changes. When you bring your vehicle to Jeff Belzer Dodge Ram for an oil change, you can expect the following:

1. We'll lift your car on our hydraulic vehicle jack, so we can efficiently work beneath your vehicle.
2. Our technician will remove any undertray your car might have to protect the oil pan.
3. The technician will then place a drain tray beneath the oil pan to catch the oil before removing the drain plug.
4. Once the technician removes the drain plug, the oil will drain by simple gravity, which takes a few minutes.
5. The technician will remove the oil filter and gasket and replace them with new Mopar parts. Changing these parts every time is essential, as the filter collects debris and can clog, lowering its ability to filter particulates.
6. Next, the technician will reinstall the drain plug and lower your vehicle.
7. Finally, the technician will open your car's hood and remove the oil cap to add new oil, confirming it's at the proper level before closing everything up and completing the oil change.

Barring any unusual situations, the whole process takes less than 30 minutes. We also recommend rotating the tires regularly. Since this typically lines up with every other oil change, it's convenient to have us take care of both tasks together, as your vehicle is already on the lift. We can rotate the tires while the oil drains without adding time to your visit.

How Often Should You Change the Oil?

Many factors can affect engine oil, such as driving habits, the climate, and your vehicle's age, make, and model. It's important to consult the owner's manual for your car, as the manufacturer has a recommended interval for oil changes. Our service center techs can look this up if you no longer have the manual. You can schedule your oil change online or bring your vehicle into our service center anytime.

In the past, the rule of thumb was to change the oil every 3,000 miles. However, new engine technology and advancements in engine oil in recent years mean many modern cars can go up to 10,000 miles between oil changes.

Oil Monitoring Systems

Many new vehicles use advanced technology to monitor the engine oil's condition by tracking the engine's temperature, speed, climate, operating conditions, and driving habits. Most systems alert you via in-vehicle status updates on your car's infotainment or driver information screen, conveniently removing the need to track your vehicle's mileage for the proper interval.

Your car's oil life monitoring system must reset after every oil change. If you're a person who prefers to DIY oil changes in your home garage, we support you. However, a technician still needs to reset the system for accuracy, so bring your vehicle in, and we'll take care of it for you. It only takes a few minutes, so you'll be back on the road quickly.

What Type of Oil Does My Car Need?

Engine technology improvements bring new requirements for the engine oil type your car needs. The manufacturer designs every vehicle to use a specific oil to optimize performance, efficiency, and protection. In some cases, you can substitute alternative oils. For example, you might use high-mileage oil to protect older engines or an oil engineered to protect hard-working engines that tow and haul heavy loads. No matter the need, our technicians can select the correct oil for your situation.

Many vehicles use synthetic oil or synthetic blends instead of conventional oil. However, they all have a recommended oil weight. You've probably seen oil labels that read something like 10W-40 or 5W-20, but you may not know what these numbers mean. First, the number before the W is for the oil's viscosity or how easily the oil pours at a specified temperature before the engine starts running. The number after the W indicates its viscosity after the engine warms up and operates normally.

Your car's engine needs thin oil that can quickly disperse through it to lubricate and protect it at startup but not so thin that it can't withstand the high heat in the engine. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle's recommended oil type.

Benefits of Changing the Oil

Your car's engine benefits from fresh engine oil, providing better thermal protection and increased lubrication. New oil also helps reduce friction between the many moving parts, helping the engine perform more efficiently. On average, the engine can realize 0.5 mpg of savings, meaning less frequent stops at the gas pump.

The engine will also last longer with regular oil changes. New vehicles can now run well over 100,000 miles without any major issues. Some vehicles reach 200,000 miles with routine oil changes and factory-scheduled maintenance.

Performing regular oil changes and other maintenance helps retain your car's value. When it comes time to trade or sell your vehicle, private buyers and dealerships want to see that you've properly maintained it. You're more likely to get a good deal if you show you have. So, we recommend keeping all your car's maintenance records to support its service history.

Schedule an Oil Change Today

At Jeff Belzer Dodge Ram Lakeville, we want your car to run its best for as long as you own it. That's why we encourage you to follow the factory schedule for changing the oil and maintaining your vehicle. Schedule an oil change online with us today if it's at the recommended interval. Our certified technicians will take care of it quickly and get you back to your busy day.

oil drain 2 by Robert Couse-Baker is licensed with CC BY 2.0