Oil Change Service in Tulsa, OK
One of the easiest and most important ways you can protect your vehicle’s engine is to have an oil change service performed regularly. This helps to keep your engine in tiptop shape and running efficiently, even for hundreds of thousands of miles. That’s because clean oil removes dirt and grime from the engine, lubricates its parts, and helps prevent the engine from overheating.
Tate Boy’s convenient Tulsa-area locations and no-charge concierge service make it easier for you to have an oil change performed on your car, truck, or SUV.
Simply by removing the existing oil and oil filter from the vehicle and replacing it with clean oil and a new oil filter, it will promote a longer life for the engine. It is recommended to have this service done every 3,000-5,000 miles, depending on the type of vehicle and type of oil being used.
Whether you need a conventional oil change or a full synthetic oil change, we can help. As part of our fast and efficient oil change service, you can count on receiving:
- Up to five quarts of oil, either Valvoline 5W-20 or 5W-30
- A new oil filter installation
- A free tire rotation upon request
- A multi-point vehicle inspection
Searching for a cheap oil change? For even better value on our expert service by ASE-certified mechanics, check out our current oil change specials. Schedule your appointment online now!
Protect Your Engine With Regular Oil Changes in The Tulsa, OK Area
The oil running through your engine works hard to do its job and keep your engine running. But, engine oil doesn’t last forever.
Over time, the oil picks up dirt and debris as it circulates through the engine, which is exactly what it is supposed to do for your engine, but it makes the oil less and less effective. So, excessive sludge can build up if this dirty oil is not changed regularly and can cause enough damage that may lead to engine failure.
Motor oil also has lubricating and heat-absorbing properties. Without regular oil changes, the oil level in your vehicle may become too low without you knowing it. Components can get hot very quickly if your engine tries to run without a sufficient amount of oil to provide lubrication. All of the metal components start directly rubbing together, causing an excessive amount of heat and premature wear. This can quickly lead to your engine completely seizing up.
This is why we recommend that you have your oil and filter changed every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. Think about this. A new engine can cost thousands of dollars, sometimes more than the car is worth. So, it just makes sense to protect it with much less expensive, regularly-scheduled oil changes.
The Critical Role Engine Oil Plays
Your engine oil plays a vital role in keeping your engine running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. But, you may be wondering what it does exactly. The oil protects your engine in four major ways:
- Keeps it clean: Motor oil keeps dirt, debris, and combustion deposits from building up on engine components, while also working to prevent blockages. The oil absorbs and holds the debris and dirt, rendering it harmless until your next oil change when it is removed.
- Reduces friction and lessening wear: The special additives in the oil form a lubricating layer of protection over all of the sensitive engine components, preventing metal-on-metal contact and reducing friction between all of the moving parts. This enables your engine to operate safely, efficiently, and quietly.
- Removes excess heat: The motor oil safely absorbs heat away from sensitive areas, like near the piston rings, and redistributes it throughout the engine. This keeps the engine from overheating while it is running.
- Prevents rust and corrosion: Your motor oil helps keep excessive rust and corrosion from building up on the engine components, which could occur much faster if they were not protected.
Help ensure your engine stays properly protected. Schedule your oil change service appointment today at the Tate Boys location nearest you.
Different Types of Oil
Not all oil is the same. Several types of motor oil can be put into vehicles’ engines. They will all have different viscosity (thickness), offer varying levels of engine protection, and vary in cost. The four types of motor oil include:
Conventional Oil
Conventional oil is what would be considered standard motor oil. It is a completely natural crude mineral oil that is refined in a factory. Several processes are done to improve its viscosity (thickness) and engine protective properties. Compared to other types of oil, conventional oil is not as refined.
There are pros and cons to this. The biggest pro is the fact that conventional oil is a more budget-friendly option for engine protection and can still keep your car running smoothly. There aren’t any “bad” motor oils being sold on the market, so as long as the correct weight/viscosity and quantity is put into your engine it will be effective. There are cons of conventional oil, however, compared to other types. Since it is less refined, it will become dirtier and sludgier quicker and will not provide the same levels of performance that you can get from the cleaner, more refined options.
Full-Synthetic Oil
Alternatively, synthetic motor oil is entirely manufactured in a lab or factory. Because of its highly controlled manufacturing process, this oil tends to be far more consistent and refined. Due to the stringent standard on these oils, they are overall better for your engine.
When it comes to an oil change, full-synthetic motor oil will generally be more expensive than conventional oil. You can usually expect to pay an extra $20 to $40 for a full synthetic oil change service, depending on how much your vehicle takes. Synthetic oils also last longer and can endure longer mileage intervals, compared to conventional oils that may need to be changed sooner. It is commonly recommended to change the oil every 5,000 miles.
Synthetic Blend Oil
Synthetic blend oil is a hybrid mixture of both full synthetic oil and conventional oil. With this blend, the goal is to try and capture some of the benefits of both types of oil while also reducing their drawbacks.
A synthetic blend will provide better performance and engine protection than conventional oil, but not quite the levels you’ll get with a full-synthetic oil. They will also last a little bit longer than conventional oils. But again, not as long as full-synthetic oils do. When it comes to the cost of a synthetic blend oil change, it will be slightly more expensive than conventional oil, but less than full-synthetic.
Overall, a synthetic blend is a decent middle-ground for those looking to keep costs lower, while still wanting to give their engine a little more protection.
High-Mileage Oil
High-mileage oil is created for engines that have more than 75,000 miles and is somewhat similar to a synthetic blend. But, it also includes a blend of unique additives that are designed to help provide extra protection for older engines, prevent oil evaporation, and improve overall performance. These additives include seal conditioners, specialized detergents, viscosity modifiers, and anti-corrosion agents.
For vehicles with higher mileage, this extra protection is key as oil burn-off and corrosion become more common, contributing to increased engine wear and a decreased engine lifespan.
Determining What Type Of Oil Is Best For Your Vehicle
As we went over above, the different types of oil have different viscosities and levels of engine protection. The first place to start when trying to determine the right oil for your vehicle is to look in your vehicle owner’s manual. Here you will find the manufacturer’s recommended minimum oil specifications for your specific vehicle.
When you are determining the best motor oil for your vehicle, you have to consider several other factors as well:
- Vehicle type: For example, a pick-up truck will need a different type of oil than a high-performance sports car.
- Vehicle’s total mileage/age: Many newer vehicles require either a full synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil. Alternatively, high-mileage motor oil is recommended in vehicles with over 75,000 miles, since it provides added engine protection.
- Driving habits: The life expectancy of your motor oil is significantly impacted by how and where you drive. For example, you may need higher quality oil to prevent excessive wear and tear on your engine if you are frequently in stop-and-go traffic, or if you take a lot of short trips.
Also, the higher summer temperatures, like we experience here in Oklahoma, may directly impact how fast the oil flows and how well it can lubricate the engine’s components. So, a different oil may need to be used during the summer.
The expert oil change technicians here at Tate Boys can recommend the best type of motor oil for your engine and driving habits. Make sure your engine is protected and call to schedule your Tulsa-area oil change service today!
Frequently Asked Questions
To make this as simple as possible, we offer online quotes for our services. That includes oil change service—just fill out our form to get a price estimate!
There’s a common rule of thumb related to oil changes that you should change your oil after three months or 3,000 miles. This guideline is an excellent place to start, but it’s not written in stone, either. Another critical factor you’ll need to consider is how you usually drive your vehicle.
“Severe” driving isn’t as dangerous as it sounds, but it’s still something to be aware of. The term refers to driving routines that often include traveling on dirt roads, during traffic jams, and in extreme temperatures. For vehicles often driven in these conditions, we recommend oil changes more often than the standard recommended schedule.
That isn’t the only factor determining your oil change schedule. It’s also a good idea to consider the age of your vehicle. If it’s getting old or has a high mileage number, it’ll probably need oil changes more often than a newer car with relatively few miles on it.
At Tate Boys, our oil changes go beyond the basics. Along with draining and replacing your oil, you can count on us to:
- Analyze your old oil to determine the status of your other vehicle components.
- Replace your oil filter along with your oil.
- Lubricate any car parts that need this service and top off your fluids.
- Inspect your car for any other problems.
Both conventional and synthetic oil are viable options for most vehicles. Still, they have their pros and cons. Conventional oil (motor oil made from crude oil) costs less than synthetic oil, which might make it look like the obvious choice at first. However, you’ll need to change conventional oil more often, and it’s sensitive to high and low temperatures.
Meanwhile, synthetic oil costs more upfront, but it makes up for this with several benefits—it can lubricate vehicles more efficiently, handle hot and cold weather, and let you go longer between oil changes.
Yes. Some drivers decide they’d prefer synthetic oil after years of using conventional oil or vice versa. Fortunately, making this change won’t cause any problems for your vehicle.
When you want to switch to another type of oil (or even just a different brand), let our auto mechanics know in advance. We can help recommend the oil that’s a better fit for your automotive needs.
It’s easy for most drivers to ignore their vehicle’s need for oil changes. That’s because the benefits of having clean oil in your car aren’t always obvious.
Regular oil changes can:
- Make your car run more efficiently. Old oil becomes dirty over time, making it harder for it to do its job of lubricating your engine and reducing friction. When you replace your vehicle’s oil, the engine won’t have to struggle with this dirt, allowing it to work less hard to do the same job.
- Let you get more miles to the gallon. The dirt in used oil can also lead to increased friction and less effective heat dissipation. On the other hand, new oil will have a positive effect in terms of heat and friction, giving your car better mileage.
- Boost your engine’s lifespan. Along with the problems described above, oil sludge can cause issues related to the lifespan of your vehicle’s engine. With clean oil, your engine won’t have to deal with these issues.
- Cut down on your environmental impact. Sludge-filled oil is full of pollutants your car will eventually release into the atmosphere.
That varies based on how old your car is. If you drive an older vehicle, you’ll want to open the hood and find the dipstick in the car’s oil reservoir. Newer cars make this process much more manageable—their integrated monitoring systems can keep an eye on your oil level for you.
Nothing is stopping you from handling your car’s oil change needs on your own. Still, this process isn’t necessarily easy—especially if you’re unfamiliar with automotive work.
It’s essential to remember that there’s more to an oil change than draining your old oil and replacing it with new oil. You’ll also have to figure out how to get under your car, and you’ll need access to specialized tools to get the job done. Along the way, you’ll have to know how to deal with potential problems like leaks. Finally, you’ll have to dispose of the vehicle’s old oil once you’ve finished the job.
Considering all these factors, we’d encourage most people to let the professionals take care of their oil changes. With our low rates and coupons, you’ll still be able to save money when you choose us for this work!
When you’re looking for an oil change in Tulsa, there are a few factors to keep an eye out for. One significant consideration is the price of this service—looking for a bargain is understandable, but low rates can also come with low standards. Instead, it’s best to strike a balance between quality service and affordability.
You should also try to get a sense of the skill level of a shop’s employees before choosing them for your next oil change. ASE-certified technicians, like those working for Tate Boys, are capable of delivering the reliable automotive service you need.
It’s easy to understand why people living near Tulsa would want to save on automotive work. While oil changes aren’t nearly as expensive as some car repairs and upgrades, they can still make a dent in your wallet.
Because of this, Tate Boys is proud to offer a broad selection of oil change coupons and other specials to our customers. You can visit our coupon page to learn more about how we can help you save on oil changes and other jobs!
Along with our oil change service, Tate Boys is a full-service auto repair shop. We’re capable of providing any services your car might need, including tire repair, rotation, and balancing; brake repair; AC/heating system repair; steering/suspension repair; and battery replacement. You can find out much more about the services we offer here.
