Oil Changes: Reasons to Get One, Common Upsells, and Coupons

One of the most important, regular maintenance items you can do for your car is to change the oil at recommended intervals. This is commonly every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. A car’s engine runs under high heat with many moving parts and it needs good lubrication to avoid damage. Engine oil is what provides this lubrication. Over time and miles, the oil begins to break down and then picks up dirt and debris, which makes it less effective at protecting engine parts.

Below are some great deals for oil changes, as well as some general information about the importance of this process so you can keep your car in tip-top shape.

Latest Oil Change Deals from Jiffy Lube

You know Jiffy Lube quality. Now get their branded Signature Service for $5 off.

Latest Oil Change Deals from Valvoline

Save money with the latest offers from Valvoline. They currently offer either a $20-off coupon for a full-service oil change as well as a 20%-off one for extra services.

Latest Oil Change Deals from Quicklane

You can get oil change coupons for quality servicing that can cost $39.95 (or even less!) This includes a synthetic-blend oil change as well as brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and more.

Reasons to Get an Oil Change

Some studies show as many as 22 percent of vehicles on the road have low oil levels or oil that needs to be changed. A year’s worth of oil changes on a vehicle with average use might cost around $120, but repairs on cars damaged by bad oil can easily reach into the thousands of dollars. The following are the top reasons why changing the engine oil and filter is so important:

Maintains Engine Lubrication

As previously mentioned, your car’s engine is subjected to high heat and parts moving at a high rate of speed. Without proper lubrication, these parts will wear down faster and eventually get damaged. Refer to your owner’s manual to see what weight of oil to use at every oil change.

Cools Engine

The engine already operates at high temperatures, but improperly lubricated parts moving at a high speed are going to create more friction, which then creates more heat. Keeping your oil clean and at the right level keeps friction and heat down.

Removes Engine Dirt and Sludge

Dirt and debris are your engine’s enemies. Over time, this dirt causes corrosion and reduces the life of engine parts. The job of an engine oil filter is to remove these particles as the oil goes through it. Eventually the filter will become clogged and do its job less effectively, which in turn leads to faster breakdown of the oil.

Improves Fuel Economy

When your engine is not being properly lubricated, it isn’t working efficiently. When the engine doesn’t work efficiently, it tends to use more fuel to compensate. According to the Department of Energy, routine oil changes can improve your fuel economy up to two percent.

Makes Your Car Last Longer

Routine maintenance always goes a long way towards improving the longevity of your car. Dirty or low oil reduces fuel economy and causes engine parts to work harder. If the engine works harder, then parts wear down faster. Your car will end up having more problems at earlier mileage than a vehicle where routine maintenance is kept up.

Helps the Engine Run in Cold Temperatures

Think of how slowly syrup pours out of a bottle when it’s cold. Your oil will already be thicker when it’s cold, but imagine if it’s even thicker due to buildup and sludge. Thick oil makes it harder for your starter to spin your engine fast enough to make it fire.

Common Upsells

If changing your oil personally seems like too much of a hassle, then getting it done at a professional lube shop is the best option. Most likely you’ve had the experience of being upsold while getting your oil changed, so you might be wondering which ones are worth the money. The following are common oil change upsells:

Wiper Blades

Replacing wiper blades isn’t always simple, depending on the type of vehicle. If you’ve been noticing streaks on your windshield when you use your wipers or you can see visible wear or damage, then you probably need new wipers.

Air Filter

This is probably the worst of the oil change upsells. Not only is it often one of the simplest parts to replace on a car, but most cars can last around two years per air filter change. Unless you drive off-road or in a really dusty area, your air filter should last several oil changes.

Cabin Air Filter

Cabin air filters may need changing more often, such as every 15,000 miles or so. That’s perhaps once every three oil changes.

Coolant Change

Coolant also breaks down eventually and if you don’t know when the last time was that you had your coolant changed, it probably needs to be changed. Every 30,000 miles is a good rule of thumb.

Tire Rotation

Tire rotation involves switching the front and rear tires to make sure that tread wears evenly. Many drivers do not have the equipment to do this themselves. Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. So, maybe every couple of oil changes.

Disclaimers: The companies mentioned have not independently verified the information on this page. Some coupons are subject to limitations or other restrictions, and not everyone may be eligible. Coupons may be restricted by location. Some coupons are only for a limited time.

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