Oil Change in Burlington, ON

The Importance of Regular Oil Changes

Motor oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine, providing lubrication, cooling, and cleaning properties. Over time, however, oil can become contaminated with dirt, debris, and engine byproducts such as moisture.  Contaminated oil has degraded lubrication and detergent effectiveness and will potentially contribute to engine damage. 

We believe that regular oil change Is the heart of any effective long-term maintenance and service strategy.  Regular service presents a licensed mechanic an opportunity to inspect your car to find any little problems before they become big expensive problems.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

How often you need an oil change depends on factors such as vehicle age and condition, driving habits, and the type of oil used. 

Your vehicle owner's manual should detail the recommended interval, but here are some general guidelines:

Every 3-4 Months
(4,000-6,000 km)

You will need more frequent oil changes if:

⇒ You're driving a car that has a turbo charged engine.  Turbo charged engines demand shorter oil change intervals due to the extra stress they place on the oil.  The turbo increases engine heat and pressure causing the oil to break down faster. And, the turbo itself relies on engine oil for cooling and lubrication exposing the oil to even higher temperatures.  Regular oil changes are crucial to prevent engine wear and ensure the turbo charger runs smoothly.

⇒ You operate your vehicle under more stressful conditions — extreme temperatures, rough roads, heavy stop-and-go traffic, and/or heavy loads in tow.

Every 6 months
(6,000-8,000 km)

⇒  The recommended oil service schedule for most newer vehicles are extended for a variety of reasons based on normal driving conditions.  At the Auto Station we believe that regular oil change intervals at 8K or less produces exceptionally long lasting engine life and really helps to keep engine repair cost down.

⇒ Canadian cold weather engine starts produce moisture that is captured in the crank case.  Short driving time often does not produce the temperature to drive the mositure from the engine system. This moisture is the leading cause of oil breakdown and related engine lubrication failure. 

⇒ Represents the range of most synthetic oil in the Canadian climate.

⇒ Use of a dipstick to check oil level and oil quality is part of regular car maintenance

Up to a year
(8,000-20,000 km)

⇒ Newer car models regularly suggest longer oil change intervals to promote more cost effective operation costs.  We believe these intervals to be limited to highway drivers with typical distances exceeding 100 km or 1 hour of operating time per start. 

⇒ We offer only premium extended-life synthetic oil installed with a high quality extended life oil filter in this application

⇒ Pay attention to your vehicle's built-in oil life monitor (if present) as "a not to exceed" recommendation.

⇒ Check oil level with dipstick monthly for both volume and appearance

Why does my dealer recommend oil changes every 15K and you say half that? 

Manufacturer Marketing and warranty concerns mean keeping your repair costs low while your car is under warranty. We expect the cost of operating your car for the last 50K of its service life to be the same as the first 50K. 
  
Manufacturers often recommend longer intervals to reduce the perceived cost of maintenance, which can make their cars more attractive to potential buyers. They set these intervals conservatively based on typical driving conditions and the performance of modern oils and engines. These recommendations are also designed to minimize maintenance while ensuring the vehicle lasts through its warranty period.
 
We believe that the best way to keep your car cost down is to make your vehicle last longer. A regular oil change interval of 8K does that.

Oil Change Cost Factors

Oil Type

• Conventional: Made from refined crude oil; the most affordable option suitable for older cars with simpler engine designs.
• Synthetic blend: A good value pick for many vehicles; better protection than convetional oils at a lower cost than a full synthetic.
• Full synthetic: Specially engineered for the longevity and performance; the costliest option sometimes mandatory for premium models.
• High-mileage: Formulated with special additives to give more experienced engines the extra TLC they need.

Engine Oil Capacity

Larger vehicles — and by extension larger engines —require more oil to lubricate.

Oil Filter

While not pricey on its own, the type of oil filter specified for your vehicle will have a slight influence on the final cost.

How Much Will I Pay for an Oil Change?

Conventional

⇒$50 to $80 CAD

Synthetic Blend

⇒$60 to $90 CAD

Full Synthetic

⇒$80 to $120 CAD

High-Mileage

⇒$60 to $100 CAD

Value of an Oil Change at the Auto Station

Scheduled maintenance tasks like oil changes are a good opportunity to check in on the general well-being of your vehicle! Complimentary with every service visit at The Auto Station, you'll get a status report on all your car or truck's vital systems, so we can catch little problems before they become big ones!