Why is your oil change so important?

Oil changes may seem mundane, but if your car is maintained correctly you must change your oil as it is a crucial part of your vehicle and should always be part of your recurring maintenance. The fewer surprises your car throws at you the better and Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express in Madisonville, KY wants you to know just how important your oil changes are.

The oil in your engine is essentially its lifeline. It protects moving parts from rust, friction, and cleans your engine by absorbing carbon buildup and debris. When you neglect an oil change, that oil saturated with dirt, and debris begins to work against you. First, small particles in the oil wreak havoc on bearings and small oil journals. If neglected for too long, oil begins to break down or coagulate, inefficiently lubricating moving parts and clogging passageways. Old oil will destroy an engine, either through bearing and part wear or oil starvation, or both at the same time. Too much wear on internal engine parts will cause the engine to fatally malfunction, sooner rather than later.

What are the other benefits of a regular oil change?

• Improved engine performance: Clean oil and a fresh air filter will keep all the important parts of your engine clean and lubricated. This creates a smoother and quieter ride. A smooth-running engine has a positive effect on multiple areas of your vehicle.
• Prevents debris build-up: Older oil will stick to engine parts. This can turn into debris, clog up areas, and create build-up. Changing the oil and filter regularly remove and prevent this nasty build-up. If you do the majority of your driving on dirt roads you will need more regular oil changes.
• MPG: As mentioned above, regular oil changes offer up improved lubrication. Newer, cleaner oil reduces friction that can slow your engine which means you’ll end up paying more money for gas. New, clean oil also helps your engine run cooler. A cooler engine is more efficient. Anti-freeze and oil work together to cool your engine together. If one isn’t working right it negatively affects the other one.
• Cleaner emissions: Older cars, trucks, RVs, and SUVs can burn old, dirty oil which increases emissions. Dirty oil allows hydrocarbons to build up in the crankcase. If the oil is dirty the emissions levels can raise. Brand new oil is much less likely to burn and can also absorb particles which means less pollution.
• Longer engine life: Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or country your engine will get dirt and debris stuck inside of it. If you change your oil there is less friction. With less friction, there is much less wear and tear. Less wear and tear means a much longer engine life. If you change your oil regularly, there is less carbon build-up. Altogether this will save you money in the long run. Replacing an engine can cost quite a bit of money.
• Other car parts: Clean, new oil doesn’t only protect the engine. It also protects other car parts that are constantly in motion. Oil lubricates the crankshaft and the connection rods. This controls the pistons from going up and down when your engine is on. The cylinder walls allow the rings to build up better compression when lubricated. The camshaft is the valve train that opens and closes the engine tank and exhaust valves. The oil keeps this lubricated and moving efficiently as well.
• Other issues: If you get a regular oil change then the other parts of your vehicle will also get checked. We offer affordable oil changes and will also check for other issues while you are here.
• Warranty: Most terms of a warranty include regular oil changes. If you don’t follow these terms it could void the contract.

Since it is a lot easier to keep an engine internally clean than it is to clean up a dirty one, and since proper lubrication is the most important aspect of engine longevity, you can see why proper oil maintenance is such a priority. Get your oil changed on time, and don’t skip the oil filter replacement. The next time your car is ready for an oil change let the experts at Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express in Madisonville, KY handle it.

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At Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express we understand the importance of time, no one wants to be slowed down by waiting for an oil change. That's why it's our goal to get you in and out as quickly as possible while being effective, efficient, and affordable! Not only do we try to make our services as speedy as possible we want you to be comfortable as possible, so while you are getting your oil change you get to relax in the comfort of your own vehicle. That way once you're done you are able to drive on out after all your concerns have been addressed. We can guarantee that all oil changes and filters will follow your vehicle's specification and we will keep your engine running smoothly while also maintaining your warranty! Let the oil experts of Madisonville KY, at Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express, get your vehicle serviced in a timely manner!

Services Offered:
- Oil Change - Full Service
- Filters
- Car Wash
- Diesel Exhaust Fluid
- Differential Service
- Fuel Filter Replacement
- Headlights
- Lighting
- Radiator Service
- Serpentine Belt
- Tire Rotation
- Transfer Case Services
- Transmission / Transaxle Service
- Washer Fluid Check & Fill

At Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express we see a lot of problems caused by neglected hoses, belts, and filter maintenance from our customers here in Madisonville. These items are durable and last a long time, but not forever, and rarely give warning before they start causing trouble. For this reason, people often find themselves inconvenienced by a failed belt, hose, or filter; it’s one of those things that simply slip your mind until it causes you trouble.

Rubber belts experience two types of wear; mechanical, and age. While you run errands around Madisonville, your belts are wearing out. The belts drive everything on your engine - your alternator, water pump, A/C, power steering, and even the camshafts and valve train. Constant wear and tear from moving pulleys coupled with repeated heating up and cooling down eventually wear a belt out completely. Belts also dry rot with age and become weak and brittle after years of contact with the environment. Allowing our expert team at Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express to properly inspect and replace these parts is key to maintaining a reliable vehicle.

Hoses are susceptible to wear from heating, cooling, and age. Hoses generally contain pressure, which constantly puts stress on them while the engine is running. For this reason, a small tear or pinhole can quickly develop into something much more serious, and suddenly you are rapidly losing coolant, fuel, or vacuum. Damage can occur from moving parts, repeated expansion, or dry rot. Hoses should be changed before a problem arises if they are visibly cracked, damaged, or worn broken hoses cause huge messes, overheating, fire hazards, and are generally inconvenient.

Modern fuel filters tend to be overlooked during maintenance as well since they last a long time and are tucked away in odd locations; many drivers here in Madisonville forget to have them changed at correct intervals. A clogged filter results in strain on the fuel pump, misfires, low power, etc., as it starves the engine of fuel. Allowing our team at Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express to replace your fuel filter is cheap and easy; if your manual recommends a filter change or you can’t remember the last time it was done, have a new one installed. Air and oil filters are part of routine maintenance, and while they are certainly important, a reputable shop will always inspect them or recommend replacement. Fuel filters can’t be checked and don’t get replaced every 3,000 miles, so it’s important not to forget about them.

If you’re experiencing trouble from failed belts, hoses, or filters, or think it may be time to have them inspected or changed, come see one of our expert mechanics at Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express. One of our technicians will be happy to take a look at your car, truck, or SUV and advise you on what to do next. For any other problems, from oil changes to leaks, to air conditioning systems, to head repair, drop by Mike's Oil Change - Mobil 1 Lube Express in Madisonville, KY and see for yourself what we can do for you.

Check Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Battery and Cables
Belts
Dashboard Indicator Light On
Engine Air Filter
Engine Oil
Exhaust
Hoses
Lights
Power Steering Fluid
Tire Inflation and Condition
Windshield Washer Fluid

Check Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Battery and Cables
Belts
Chassis Lubrication
Dashboard Indicator Light On
Engine Air Filter
Engine Oil
Exhaust
Hoses
Lights
Power Steering Fluid
Tire Inflation and Condition
Windshield Washer Fluid
Wiper Blades

Check Every 9 Months/ 9,000 Miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Battery and Cables
Belts
Dashboard Indicator Light On
Engine Air Filter
Engine Oil
Exhaust
Hoses
Lights
Power Steering Fluid
Tire Inflation and Condition
Windshield Washer Fluid

Check every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Battery and Cables
Belts
Brakes
Cabin Air Filter
Chassis Lubrication
Dashboard Indicator Light On
Coolant (Antifreeze)
Engine Air Filter
Engine Oil
Exhaust
Hoses
Lights
Power Steering Fluid
Steering and Suspension
Tire Inflation and Condition
Wheel Alignment
Windshield Washer Fluid
Wiper Blades

Filters are normal wear items that require regular checks and replacement. Factors that affect replacement intervals include:

• Mileage
• Driving habits
• Driving and road conditions
• Type of filter
• Vehicle type

Symptoms that you really need to get those filters and fluids changed include,

• Poor gas mileage
• Hesitation while accelerating
• Musty odor in the cabin

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