Optimizing Oil Change Intervals: What You Need To Know

Take the Best Care of Your Vehicle at Bruce’s Tire

At Bruce's Tire, we understand the importance of an oil change. More so, we understand the importance of a quality oil change that works to protect your engine. Whether you drive a sports car, an old sedan, or a brand-new SUV, our automotive experts are here to tend to your vehicle's maintenance and repair needs. Striving to provide a quality oil change in the San Francisco Bay Area, we use quality Valvoline oil and staff our service centers with ASE-certified technicians. 

Schedule an appointment at our auto shop today, and discover why drivers choose us for all of their auto-related needs.

The Importance of an Oil Change

Your motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine. Without oil in your engine, the many moving parts inside your motor would overheat and become damaged, and your engine would eventually self-destruct. 

While this may sound theatrical, it is the reality of vehicle ownership. While running an engine without oil means certain death for your vehicle, running your engine with old, oxidized oil can result in the same fate. This is one of the many reasons why a timely oil change is so important. 

As your oil gets older, it begins to oxidize, meaning it begins to lose its protective ability to cool, lubricate, and clean your engine. Additionally, your oil can instantaneously oxidize if it were to heat beyond a certain temperature. To avoid running your engine with old, oxidized oil, we recommend performing a routine oil change service according to your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations, on time, for the life of your vehicle. 

How To Know What Type of Oil Change You Need

At Bruce's Tire, three different types of oil changes can be performed on your vehicle. Each type of oil features its own level of protection:

• Conventional oil: Conventional oil offers the most basic protection for your engine. It provides protection up to 275°F, and typically needs to be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. It's important to note that although this is the lowest-cost change that you can perform on your vehicle, this type of oil is not compatible with every type of engine. Some engines, such as turbocharged or high-performance engines, reach higher temperatures than what conventional oil can protect. For this reason, these engines are not compatible with this type of oil.
• High mileage oil: High mileage oil is often called a synthetic blend due to its formulation of both synthetic and conventional oil. It is special because it commonly features additives that directly target the concerns and challenges of aging engines. High mileage oil may include detergents to break up engine sludge, sealants to prevent oil leaks, and even additional lubricants to help with fuel economy. This type of oil typically needs to be changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
• Full synthetic: This type of oil provides the gold standard in engine protection. Praised for its ability to perform in cold weather and to protect your engine at temperatures up to 475°F, it is formulated for excellence. Working to keep your engine cleaner, a full synthetic oil change will only need to be performed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Is Your Vehicle Telling You It's Time for an Oil Change?

Some drivers routinely drive hundreds and even thousands of miles past their recommended service interval and don't think much of it. However, at our auto shops, we have performed many repairs as a result of car owners not changing engine oil on time. Here are a few symptoms that your vehicle may show when it's time for an oil change:

• Rough operation
• Reduced fuel economy
• Maintenance reminder light

Some drivers may ignore these signs and symptoms and find that their vehicle gradually develops more serious symptoms, which may include:

• Engine stalling
• Exhaust smoke
• Increased oil consumption
• Engine overheating
• Difficulty starting when cold
• Oil warning light

If your vehicle is displaying any of the above symptoms, we recommend scheduling an auto service at your earliest convenience. Our ASE-certified mechanics are equipped to provide not only the maintenance services that your vehicle needs but all of the repair services, too.

There Are Times When You Need a More Frequent Oil Change

Your owner’s manual or your oil type may prescribe a certain oil change interval. However, there are instances where we recommend that an oil change is performed more frequently to preserve engine health. If your engine undergoes heavy stress, your oil can quickly get quite hot. If your oil gets too hot, it can quickly oxidize, leaving your engine susceptible to unintentional damage. Because there is no sensor in your engine to let you know if your engine oil has oxidized, we recommend performing an oil change before one of the following activities:

• Heavy-duty towing
• Extreme weather
• Spirited driving
• After driving in sandy or dusty environments

For All Your Automotive Needs, Bruce’s Tire Has You Covered

At Bruce's Tire, a quality oil change in the San Francisco Bay Area is always just a click or call away. Our ASE-certified mechanics perform oil change services on all makes and models of vehicles, using Valvoline oil for optimal protection. To promote your vehicle's optimal performance, we always use high-quality parts that meet or exceed your vehicle's factory-recommended specifications.

In addition to our friendly customer service and automotive expertise, you'll also love our competitive pricing. We even feature fantastic oil change service specials that allow you to take advantage of quality oil change services while saving money. Schedule an appointment at Bruce's Tire and Automotive, and trust your vehicle to the experts.