Oil Change Service in Waveland, MS
Oil Change Service at Geaux Ford
There’s no doubt that oil is the most important fluid in your vehicle because without it your engine probably won’t make it another mile. Your vehicle relies on a constant flow of oil in order to ensure that your engine is lubricated and that things don’t get too hot when driving. If it’s been a while since your last oil change and you’re near Gulfport, Biloxi, or Waveland, schedule a service with Geaux Ford.
The Purpose of Engine Oil
Since your engine is putting out enough power to move a vehicle that weighs over a thousand pounds, it’s going to deal with a lot of wear, and quickly. Your oil helps to mitigate this by forming seals between the pistons, cylinder walls, and rings, while also lubricating other parts of your engine. This keeps things running smoothly. Your oil even gives you a small bit of added protection against overheating, alongside your cooling system. When your engine has a good amount of oil, it’ll be able to run for longer without issues that could be costly. Changing your oil regularly also helps to get rid of any carbon and varnish buildup that your engine might be experiencing. If you decide to forgo an oil change, you’ll find that your vehicle will be running into problems sooner rather than later. You might deal with everything from knocking to overheating, and that’s only a few of the issues that you might experience.
Ways to Measure Your Vehicle’s Oil
There are plenty of services that could potentially wait another week, but if you plan on driving your vehicle at all, an oil change isn’t one of them. Since a lack of oil opens your vehicle up to so much risk, you’ll want to pay attention when you’re running low. Generally, you can do this by:
- Using Your Dipstick: Your dipstick is a great tool for monitoring your oil, as you’ll be able to see the color, quality, and level in one go. If you notice that your oil is sludge-like or low, you won’t want to waste time scheduling an appointment.
- A Sticker: If you’ve had an oil change, they most likely gave you a sticker dictating the mileage and month in which you’ll need another.
- Your Owner’s Manual: This is the least accurate way to monitor your oil, but it can still come in handy. If you have your owner’s manual with you, you’ll want to look for the recommended mileage for an oil change.
What Happens When You Forget To Change Your Oil
If you haven’t kept up with your oil, or you’re starting to experience any of the issues below, you’re going to want to immediately make your way to the nearest mechanic, as this might mean that your engine is potentially in trouble.
- Grinding Noises: What you might be hearing is the sound of metal banging against metal since a lack of oil will mean that there’s no lubrication.
- Overheating: Whether this is an oil issue or not, your vehicle shouldn’t be overheating when you’re driving.
- Check Engine Light or Oil Reminder: While your sensor could potentially be a false alarm, this is highly unlikely. You’ll want to have your vehicle examined by a professional so that you can relax behind the wheel.
- Leaking: If oil is leaking from your model, you have a serious issue on your hands and should be seen as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Change Service
As a Ford dealership, we follow the general guidelines provided by Ford and recommend an oil change about every three months as a general rule. However, it is always best to consult your vehicle owner’s manual for the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for your make and model car, truck, or SUV. In addition, you must take into account the road and weather conditions in Slidell, Long Beach, or Diamondhead, where the vehicle is in operation, as well as the number of miles driven in the three-month period. If you are exceeding 3,000 miles per three-month period, it is wise to have the oil changed more frequently. Hot and dusty environments can also cause the oil to age more rapidly, and would require more frequent oil changes. Please reach out to the staff at the Geaux Ford service center for more information specific to your vehicle and its use. This will help you ensure the oil is changed as frequently as needed to maintain the engine’s function and longevity.
When you check the oil in your vehicle’s engine by pulling and examining the dipstick, you could find that the oil level is low. You might be tempted to simply add more oil to the existing oil to avoid any damage to the engine. However, if the oil on the dipstick is dark and you cannot see through it, it is time for a full oil and oil filter change. New oil is golden and transparent. Only when the oil is old and contaminated with dirt and particles will it look black or dark brown. At that point, the oil is not cleaning out the hazardous particles from the engine nor is it lubricating the small parts correctly. Instead of adding new oil to the existing oil, reach out to the service department at Geaux Ford to book your oil change or stop by the Quick Lane for a fast and affordable oil change. Be sure to also visit our service coupon page for added savings on an oil change and other vital vehicle services.
When you stop by Geaux Ford for an oil change, you will learn that our team drains the oil and replaces it with new, clean oil and replaces the oil filter. This is a critical part of the oil change service as the filter is vital in protecting the moving parts inside the vehicle’s engine from damage due to dirt and metal shavings. You can picture the oil circulating through the vehicle’s engine, just as blood circulates through the human body. But unlike your blood that carries essential components throughout the body, engine oil is used to lubricate and to trap debris inside the engine. Once the oil is saturated with dirt and particles, it can no longer provide this added protection for the moving parts in the motor. That is where the oil filter comes into the picture. The oil is pumped through the oil filter to remove particles and debris, allowing the cleaned oil to continue protecting the components inside the motor. However, once the oil filter is filled with debris, it can no longer clean the oil, which increases the potential for harm to the motor and unnecessary wear that will impact its longevity. The small investment in a new oil filter is a wise and cost-effective choice to increase the life of the engine oil and the engine.
When you’re looking for an oil change, schedule your next service at Geaux Ford.
