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Auto Maintenance: Choosing One Repair Shop

One of the things I learned from my dad is that it pays to find a good auto repair shop and stick with it. True enough, I have tried using more than one shop, based on what I needed done to my car. Every time, I found myself going back to one shop that knew my car and the car's history. I had found that shop not too long ago. They had offered help with everything from rebuilding engines to dent repair. The shop is located near my home, and they keep records that went back for years. Thanks to the long history, they always knew what to do when something was not working as it should. If you think that finding one shop to meet all your needs is a good idea, let me help. With a little effort, you'll know exactly where to take your vehicle any time it needs some work.

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Auto Maintenance: Choosing One Repair Shop

Matching The Right Oil With Your Car

by Noelle Snyder

When you take your car in for an oil change, you may be given a choice as to which oil to put into your car. There are several formulations, each with different characteristics for your driving habits and the type of car. Here are how these oils differ so you can make the best choice during your next oil change.

What Oil Does for the Car

All motor oils serve the same purpose in your car. They lubricate the metal surfaces that move against each other to reduce the friction. Friction generates heat and if your engine gets hot enough, it will seize up and stop working. The best oil for your car depends on the weather conditions, age of the car, type of engine and the kind of driving you do.

Conventional Oil

This has been the standard motor oil for years. It is made from natural petroleum products and goes through a number of filtration stages to produce a contaminate free lubricant. This oil comes in varying viscosities to keep your engine running smoothly in hot and cold conditions.

Synthetic Oil

The engines in luxury and high-performance cars are made with the latest materials and with high precision. The natural motor oils won't protect these engines, so fully synthetic oils were developed. These oils work much better at high temperatures in these new engines. Synthetic oil doesn't break down as fast as organic oils and they leave less residue in the engine. These oils are the most expensive of the engine lubricants and are generally used in the most expensive cars.

Synthetic Blends

For people who drive large vehicles or pull heavy loads, a blend of synthetic and natural oils work best. These engines heat up quickly and maintain a higher temperature. The blend keeps these engines cooler by keeping their viscosity as they heat up. The price of a blend is mid-way between the conventional and full synthetic oils.

High-Mileage Oil

As your car ages, the engine components loosen up creating larger gaps between the parts that move against each other. Oil formulated for high-mileage cars fills the gaps better than other products. Your engine stays cooler and some of the rattling heard by old, high-mileage car are silenced. This oil is priced similar to blends.

As your car ages and your driving habits change, you'll need different oils to protect your engine. You'll have a choice of several, so check with the auto repair shop personnel for their recommendations for the best oil for your car. To learn more about oil changes, speak with a business like Terwood Auto Repair.

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