Lewiston Auto Repair Tip – Don’t Change Your Own Oil if…
We’ve previously written on the signs you need belt and host replacement and noticed that many of you like to DIY your Lewiston auto repair. However, some of you may be doing more damage than good. Below we will share when you should and should not change your own oil.
1. You Don’t Know About Oil SAE
The Society of Automotive Engineers assigns and evaluates motor oil to give it a certain weight. It assigns two numbers to an oil. The first is for the minimum temperature the oil is effective to. The second is for the maximum the oil can be operated to. The oil is designed to have the highest thickening resistance in the winter and the highest resistance thinning when it is summer. The higher the oil’s number, the thicker the oil will be. Your owner’s manual will dictate which oil to use. NEVER use another weight unless specifically instructed to by a certified expert.
2. GF-6A Versus GF-6B Oil
Your vehicle may recommend one of these types of oils instead of the usual SAE type. Both the GF6 types of oils are often used for gasoline engines in a lightweight truck or utility vehicle like a Jeep. What you should remember in general is that GF-6B was made for newer vehicles that take 0W-12 or 0W-16 as their oil. However, GF-6A was designed to fit older vehicles and include weights such as:
- 0W-20
- 5W-20
- 5W-30
- 10W-30
Never use GF-6B oil in your vehicle unless you are specifically instructed.
3. What Type of Oil Should I Use?
Now that you know the type of oil and weight, there are tons of choices for you to choose from. Remember that oil is the life’s blood of your vehicle and skimping is not recommended. However, splurging doesn’t necessarily mean you are getting what you pay for. Plus there are tons of different types from conventional to synthetic to high mileage to amazing choices that only need changing every 15k miles. Think about what you want from your car. Is it performance, reliability, longevity, or a mix? Do your research. Ask a mechanic or two which motor oil they use in their vehicles. Twelfth Round Auto has a good guide that tells you more on their top oil picks as well. It’s a good starting point.
4. Don’t Forget the Filter
The task “change the vehicle oil” is misleading. We always recommend changing the oil filter (and o-ring) as well when changing the oil. This is because the filter has taken in all the contaminants from the oil and will eventually become clogged. Once it does, it can do more damage than not changing the oil at all. Additionally, oil filters are not expensive and can be easy to change depending on your make and model.
5. No Quicky Oil Places
Does the above not fit with your skill set or time table? You may be tempted to take your vehicle to a place that “specializes” in oil changes. However, they have a one size fits all approach to oil change. They have a few choices in basic, plus, and premium they try to sell you, but it probably doesn’t involve products that are best for your car or truck. They also may not include the oil filter. Spend the extra to get it done right. The added cost is well worth it when you take it to an auto repair shop you know and trust.
Lewiston Auto Repair Tips & More
Luper Auto performs expert oil and filter changes on all types of road vehicles, pickup trucks, diesel trucks, and light trucks, as well as a variety of other repairs. We are up front and tell you what we recommend before beginning any work. Feel free to make an appointment.
Is your vehicle ready? Call us today to get it serviced!
