Oil Change Near Blairsville, PA

Taking care of your Chevy with routine maintenance is the best way to keep it on the road for a long time. An oil change is one of the simplest yet most important parts of your maintenance schedule. If you need an oil change near Blairsville, PA, head to C. Harper Chevrolet East.

WHY GET AN OIL CHANGE?

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Whether you drive a car, truck, or an SUV, you’ll have to replace your oil eventually. That’s because oil takes care of two very big jobs under the hood. First, it lubricates all the parts of your engine, so they can run smoothly.

All that machinery can create a lot of heat, though. When heat builds up between parts, it can cause friction, which can result in problems. Luckily, oil takes care of this, too, by cooling the parts of your engine down.

Eventually, pulling double duty like this causes oil to wear down. After enough time—and a few thousand miles—it’s no longer able to cool or effectively lubricate the parts. It even undergoes a chemical reaction.

New oil and healthy oil have a golden-brown color and flow freely. Old oil looks more like a thick, black sludge. Once oil looks like this, it’s not going to offer any benefits to your engine. That’s why getting your oil changed is a regular part of your maintenance schedule.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED AN OIL CHANGE?

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Your maintenance schedule usually depends on what you drive. For example, a compact car and a heavy-duty pickup are probably going to go in for maintenance at very different times. When it comes to oil, the big determining factor is what kind of oil your vehicle takes.

Conventional oil is commonly found in used cars. It’s derived from crude oil and contains some natural elements that can benefit your engine. If your vehicle runs on conventional oil, you’ll probably need to get an oil change every 3,000 miles or every six months.

Most vehicles hitting the road today take synthetic oil. It’s specifically engineered to last longer and work under more extreme temperatures. If your Chevy takes synthetic oil, you’ll only need an oil change every 7,500 miles, or just once a year.

OIL CHANGE WARNING SIGNS

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What if you’re not sure how long it’s been since your last oil change? That’s okay. There’s no need to worry. Your Chevy has some helpful reminders built in. Plus, it can give you a few warning signs as well. Schedule an oil change if you notice any of the following:

• Oil Pressure Warning Light – If you’re overdue for an oil change, you’ll eventually be reminded by a dashboard light that looks like an old-fashioned oil can.
• Knocking Sound – Your engine usually has a tougher time operating when it’s low on oil. This can cause some strange sounds while you drive, including a steady knocking.
• Dark Oil – It’s easy to check the condition of your oil at home. Just pop the hood, find the dipstick, and pull it out. Then, wipe it off on a paper towel and you’ll be able to see if your oil has changed color yet.