Here at Express Lube, our oil change experts are proud to help people in the Springfield & Scappoose areas keep their cars running smoothly. We love helping our customers get the best possible performance out of their vehicles. We also encourage anyone who stops by our shop to ask questions about their vehicles.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common questions we hear and what you can learn from the answers!
It really depends on your vehicle and the type of oil that was used in your last oil change. Fully synthetic oils can let you drive longer between oil changes (and they’re even required for many vehicles.
Our best advice is to check your owner’s manual– most will say around 3,000 to 5,000 miles between oil changes. Stick to that schedule when you first purchase your vehicle. Then ask your mechanic or one of the oil change experts at Express Lube if more frequent oil changes are recommended.
The oil change itself usually takes about 30 minutes or less. But budget a little extra time if you’re coming during a busy time of day!
While some cars (hybrids and many European vehicles) absolutely require fully synthetic oil, we generally recommend full synthetic oil for all vehicles. Fully synthetic oil lasts longer, provides better protection for your engine, offers better high-temperature performance, and can even improve your vehicle’s fuel economy!
While full synthetic oils cost a bit more, their benefits can actually save you money in the long run!
At Express Lube, we’re very experienced working on most models of cars, trucks, and SUVs. We’ve also worked on a quite a few classic and unique vehicles over the years. If you want to know more about whether we’re familiar with your specific vehicle, just contact our Springfield, Scappoose or Tigard location.
This is a tough one to answer! Our best recommendation is to stay on top of your car’s regular and recommended maintenance schedule to nip any potential problems in the bud.
You can also start listening to your car for a few common problem-causing noises. A new noise or sound can indicate a problem with your vehicle’s engine, tires, or other parts.
If you are worried about a problem with your car, you can help your mechanic by providing a little extra information including:
- Has something changed to make you worry? Is your car getting worse fuel mileage or handling worse than it used to, for example.
- If you’re hearing a sound or experiencing something strange when driving, do certain conditions (fast highway driving, driving uphill) make the problem better or worse?
There’s definitely no perfect vehicle for everyone. If you’re thinking about buying a new (or new-to-you) vehicle, the best way to narrow down your choices is to ask yourself:
- How many miles will I be driving each week? Will they be “tough” (towing heavy loads) or “easy” miles (highway commutes)?
- How many passengers and how much “stuff” will I need to carry?
- Will this be my only vehicle? If it is, you’ll need to sacrifice some specific features in exchange for all-around versatility.
You’ll also need to consider how much other factors, like reliability and style matter to you. Remember that some luxury cars and SUVs will require more frequent and costly upkeep than less expensive models.
Basically, the long and the short of it is that you need to figure out what your new vehicle must have and go from there. If you’d like our recommendations, feel free to stop by and ask! We’re always happy to help.
This is one of the most common questions we get asked and with good reason! Your vehicle is likely one of your biggest investments and you don’t want to trust it to just anyone. At Express Lube, you can check out our reviews online and hear from tons of satisfied customers who won’t take their vehicle anywhere else for an oil change.
Feel free to give us a call or stop by our Scappoose, Springfield or Tigard locations. We’ll do our best to help however we can. No appointment needed!