Oil Change & Lube Services

Efficient Oil Change Services at Yocum Automotive, Republic, MO

Since your vehicle’s engine oil is the lifeblood of the engine, oil changes are excessively important. The oil must be clean enough to lubricate the engine, which has very tight tolerances between parts that move at thousands of revolutions per minute. Sometimes, the clearance between two speeding metal parts is as little as .0022 inches. Any grit in the oil can erode that narrow gap, much like sandpaper.

Yocum Automotive in Republic, MO provides oil change & lube services in addition to other maintenance and repairs for your vehicle.

Benefits of Obtaining Regular Oil Changes

Changing your vehicle’s oil and filter, as recommended by the manufacturer, has many benefits, including:

Longer Engine Life

Oil loses its lubricating properties as it picks up carbon from the engine and debris that might find its way into the engine. As it loses its lubricating properties, it increases wear on the pistons and other moving parts. It also wears the cylinder walls down. Keeping the oil and filter changed ensures you always have plenty of lubrication for the engine.

Better Fuel Efficiency

As the oil becomes dirtier and loses lubrication, the engine works harder. When the engine has to work harder, it decreases horsepower and fuel economy.

Enhanced Performance

When an engine runs flawlessly, it runs better. You’ll notice better responsiveness, especially on acceleration, when you keep the oil changed.

Better Emissions

As the oil picks up more carbon and debris, it increases harmful emissions. Keeping the oil changed also decreases these emissions.

What is the “Lube” Referring to Oil Change and Lube Services?

Lube services ensure the rest of the vehicle receives the lubrication it requires to operate properly. Various parts of the chassis, such as tie rod ends, ball joints and the steering linkage, need to be kept lubricated.

The differential also needs regular lubrication. Not lubricating the differential gears causes them to wear out quickly. Finally, suspension bushings and control arms require lubrication to keep them moving smoothly.

Lubing your vehicle significantly reduces wear and tear on the chassis and suspension. It also makes your vehicle safer to drive as properly lubed parts allow for better handling and control of the vehicle. Finally, well-lubed steering and suspension means a smoother, more comfortable ride.

How Do I Know When to Change My Vehicle’s Oil?

Every owner’s manual should have two oil change schedules for your make and model vehicle. The standard schedule, which most people follow, and a “severe use” schedule. If you don’t drive under severe conditions, most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles as long as you’re using synthetic oil. If you use a synthetic blend, the oil change interval is most likely 5,000 miles.

If you use conventional oil, you still have to change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

What is “Severe Use?”

Some people drive more than others, drive through more mountains, never take trips over 10 miles, and have other driving habits that constitute severe use. Severe use oil change intervals are often 2,500 to 3,500 miles sooner than regular oil change intervals.

Autocare.org recommends changing the oil every 3,000 miles if your driving falls under the severe use category. Always check your owner’s manual, and if it doesn’t have a severe use schedule, change the oil every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first.

The additional strain on the engine decreases the oil’s lubricating properties and increases foreign substances in the oil faster.

So, what is severe use, and why do you need to change the oil more often?

Mountainous Terrain

Driving up steep hills and mountains puts extra strain on the engine.

Short Trips

If nearly every trip you make is less than 10 miles, the oil never gets hot enough to evaporate all the condensation build-up.

Towing / Hauling

Towing and hauling, even loads that don’t weigh more than a few thousand pounds, put additional strain on the engine.

Frequent Idling

If you allow the engine to idle for long periods of time, such as in heavy traffic, stop-and-go traffic, or never turning the vehicle off (common with diesel engines), you need to change your oil more often. Sitting in a traffic jam during rush hour every day when you commute is considered severe use.

Extensive Highway Driving in Hot Weather

This usually happens when you take a long road trip. However, if your commute is mostly highway driving, it is also considered severe use.

Driving on Dusty Roads

If you live on a gravel or dirt road and drive the vehicle every day, or if you use your vehicle for farming, change the oil under the severe use schedule. The engine air filter doesn’t filter out all dust particles, so your engine oil gets dirty faster.

Sub-Zero Temperatures

If you drive every day when the temperatures are below zero, you need to follow the severe oil change intervals – at least during the winter.

After Hours

Drop-OFF

We realize that you lead a busy life, so we have made it easy for you to drop off your vehicle.

After Hours

Drop-OFF

We realize that you lead a busy life, so we have made it easy for you to drop off your vehicle.

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