The Ultimate Tulsa Oil Change Guide

If you want to take good care of your vehicle, you’ll need to keep up with its maintenance needs—and that includes taking it in for oil change service regularly. When done right, oil changes will extend your car’s lifespan while boosting its performance. But while it’s easy enough to find businesses offering a cheap oil change in Oklahoma, choosing Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified technicians is the only way to ensure you’ll get all the benefits you’d expect from an oil change. Fortunately, the team at Tate Boys Tire & Service fit the bill.

Are you still wondering why oil changes are so crucial for your vehicle? If so, this article should help clear things up. We’ll explain the perks of getting oil changes, how to choose the best oil types for your car, and how often you should take your vehicle in for oil change service.

What Makes Oil Changes Important?

If you’re not too familiar with vehicle maintenance, it may seem like oil changes are unnecessary or a waste of time. However, that’s not even remotely the case. Getting regular oil change service from a trustworthy service provider, like our Tulsa oil change mechanics, is vital for keeping your vehicle in good working condition.

Some of the most notable oil change benefits you can expect to see include:

Increased Engine Lifespan

Clean oil helps to keep your engine clean and running smoothly. When oil ages, however, debris builds up and sludge begins to develop. This oil is much less capable of dissipating heat, reducing friction, and removing debris, all of which can negatively affect your engine’s lifespan.

Heightened Efficiency

The less dirt your engine has to deal with, the better it can run. When an engine uses clean oil, it doesn’t have to work as hard to get the same results it would otherwise.

Better Mileage

Fresh oil is better than dirty oil for heat dissipation and friction reduction. With this in mind, new oil can help your car use gas more effectively than old oil can.

Decreased Environmental Impact

Older oil comes with sludge, which can lead to your engine releasing excess pollutants into the air. To avoid this situation, make sure to change your oil often.

Fewer Operational Problems

Even if oil changes take some time and money, they can help you save quite a bit in the long run. Along with changing your oil, the ASE-certified technicians at Tate Boys will take time to check your car’s systems during an oil change. If they find any problems, you’ll get a heads up and recommendations on how Tate Boys can fix these issues.

Choosing The Right Auto Shop in Tulsa For An Oil Change Service

Unless you’re planning to change your oil, you’ll need to find an auto repair shop in Tulsa capable of doing this job for you. Of course, this isn’t as easy as choosing a random company or the auto shop with the best oil change specials. There are several factors drivers should take into account when finding a company to change their vehicle's oil:

Good Service at Good Prices

Are you looking for a cheap oil change? That’s understandable, but you shouldn’t go with just any place that’s advertising rock-bottom rates for this work. These companies might cut costs by omitting necessary related services, which can have just as much of an impact on your car as the oil change itself.

Along with changing your vehicle’s oil and filter, a reputable auto shop will generally inspect your belts/hoses and refill your fluids. Full-service automotive shops such as Tate Boys in the Tulsa area may also rotate your tires, check your car more thoroughly, and provide other regular services you might need.

See our oil change coupons

Skilled Employees

An oil change is just as good as the people working on it. Because of this, you’ll need to be sure your business of choice has employees you can trust with your vehicle’s well-being.

Tate Boys is proud to employ ASE-certified technicians. Our professionals care deeply about the well-being of our customers, and they’ll pay attention to even the most minor details while working on your oil change.

Scheduling That Works For You

When you need oil change service, convenience matters. At Tate Boys, you can select one of our Tulsa-area locations nearest you to find a time for your oil change that works with your schedule.

What to Expect From Your Oil Change in Tulsa

Now that you’ve picked out an auto shop for oil change service, it’s time for the oil change itself. Here’s what full-service oil changes look like at Tate Boys:

Our technicians will start by taking a look at your oil level. At the same time, we’ll assess the condition of your oil, which can indicate how other components in your vehicle are doing.
Then, wel lift your vehicle to drain and dispose of old oil safely. Along with this, you’ll get a new oil filter to replace your old one.
Our technicians will pour up to five quarts of oil into your vehicle’s engine based on how much you need. You can choose between synthetic and conventional oil.
Before wrapping things up, our team will lubricate various car parts and do a close inspection of your car. Finally, technicians will top off your fluids.

When to Schedule Oil Changes

Pouring Synthetic Oil At this point, we’ve given you advice on why you need oil changes, what to look for in an oil change provider, and what you can expect during an oil change. That said, there’s a big question you may still have: how often do you need oil changes in the first place? There isn’t a cut-and-dry answer to this query, but there are some factors you’ll want to keep in mind.

As a Tulsa driver, there’s a good chance you’ve heard that your car needs an oil change three months or 3,000 miles after its last oil change. That’s not necessarily bad advice, but this is more of a rule of thumb than anything. You’ll also need to take your driving style into account.

Depending on the way you drive, your car may need oil changes more often than this suggests. Some types of driving environments and situations—including dirt roads, extreme temperatures, traffic jams, and regular low speeds—are considered “severe” driving. If your car is often in situations like these, it may need oil changes at twice the average rate. Vehicles with high mileage numbers and older cars also require oil changes more frequently than newer vehicles.

If you’re unsure of your car’s oil level, checking it may be easier than you’d think. In newer cars, integrated monitoring systems can notify you when you need an oil change. For older models, open the hood and look for a dipstick in your oil reservoir. Make sure to check your oil this way at least once a month.

Finding the Right Oil For Your Needs

No matter how long you’ve been driving, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the two main types of oil available today. Depending on your vehicle’s needs, you may want to choose either conventional or synthetic oil.

Conventional oil is made with crude oil, and it’s cheaper than synthetic oil upfront. That said, this oil type needs to be changed more regularly than synthetic oil does. It’s also vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

Meanwhile, synthetic oil will let you wait longer between oil changes, will better lubricate your vehicle, and is more suitable for hot and cold environments. Still, it will cost you more initially than conventional oil would.

Schedule Your Oil Change Service Today!

Is your Tulsa car ready for an oil change? If so, get in touch to request a quote at Tate Boys Tire & Service today! And for an extra-cheap oil change, be sure to take a look at our oil change coupons.

Tulsa Oil Change FAQs

How much should an oil change cost in Tulsa, OK?

Do you need an oil change service in Tulsa, Oklahoma or the surrounding areas? If you do, you’re probably wondering how to save as much as possible on this maintenance service. Like other types of auto work, oil changes come with a cost. That means it can be tricky to fit them into your monthly budget.

Some auto repair and maintenance services are more expensive than others. Oil changes are relatively simple, and that means they’re one of the least costly services your car will need. As a result, most Tulsa drivers can consider factors other than the bottom line when looking for a shop to handle their next oil change. Value is always important, but it’s wise to find an auto repair shop that offers full-service oil changes from ASE-certified mechanics.

The only way to ensure you get the maximum bang for your auto maintenance buck is to know how much your oil change will cost beforehand. The auto shop you choose should be willing to offer quotes for oil changes and any other services they provide. When shops can’t or won’t do this, they could be trying to conceal their higher prices until it’s too late for their customers to back out of the deal.

To get genuinely affordable oil change service in and around Tulsa, you can’t go wrong with Tate Boys Tire & Service! We’ve been the top choice for auto maintenance and repair work for folks in this part of Oklahoma since 1988. If you pick Tate Boys for oil change service, you’ll benefit from our convenient quotes and online coupons.

Will my car run better after an oil change?

Regular oil change service is a fantastic way to ensure your car will deliver peak performance now and for years into the future. Despite this, you may notice little change in your vehicle after getting an oil change in Tulsa. While this task is just as essential as a brake repair service, the improvements it delivers are much more subtle in comparison.

Still, you might spot a few differences in your car when you get an Oklahoma oil change. For example, you could observe improvements to your vehicle’s fuel economy. That isn’t the only noticeable difference that oil changes can deliver. An oil change can also boost your acceleration and help your engine run more efficiently.

Although these oil change perks are significant, they aren’t the primary benefits of an oil change service. Instead, this job is mainly about keeping your engine well lubricated and reducing its risk of overheating. When you need this vital service in Oklahoma, give Tate Boys a try!

What does a full oil change service consist of?

Suppose you haven’t had an oil change in Tulsa (or anywhere else) recently. In that case, you might assume that this service simply consists of draining your vehicle’s old motor oil and replacing it with fresh oil. That’s not entirely wrong — this task is the starting point of any oil change. Even so, some oil changes (known as full-service oil changes) take things one step further by adding other maintenance jobs to this basis.

Are you planning to get an oil change soon? If you are, know that looking for an auto shop that offers full-service oil changes is worth your while. When you set up a full-service oil change, your car will benefit from the following:

A thorough inspection by qualified technicians.
A new oil filter.
Free tire rotation (if requested ahead of time).

When you need a full-service oil change in Tulsa, you need the expertise that Tate Boys can deliver. Our ASE-certified mechanics are ready to provide an oil change that goes above and beyond the basics. To ensure you’re getting Oklahoma’s best and most thorough oil change service, visit one of our garages for this work today!

What are the signs that you need an oil change?

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell when you need automotive service. You might notice glaring issues in your vehicle if you’re overdue for auto repairs and even some regular maintenance jobs. These problems can include unusual noises and unexpected vibrations.

It can be considerably harder to spot the effects of driving with a low level of motor oil or dirty oil. Not dealing with this issue promptly could severely damage your car.

Are you overdue for oil change service? Keep an eye out for symptoms such as the following:

An active dashboard light. Your vehicle’s “check engine” light could activate in response to nearly any issue, including oil problems. You’ll need to visit a local garage for a diagnostic test to figure out precisely what’s wrong.
Quiet (but out-of-the-ordinary) sounds. In some cases, oil problems can create noises in your vehicle — but you’ll probably have to listen closely to hear them. For example, soft “ticking” noises when you start your car and “knocking” noises while you drive can be caused by oil-related issues.
Visibly dirty/thick motor oil. Under normal circumstances, your oil should look clean and have a thin consistency. Dirty or viscous motor oil needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
Exhaust pipe smoke. A variety of car problems could cause smoke from your exhaust pipe. This might not mean you need an oil change, but you’ll still want to visit a nearby auto shop to take care of it.

What is the difference between synthetic oil and regular oil?

Before you visit your local Tate Boys auto repair shop in Tulsa for a full-service oil change, you’ll want to know the differences between the two types of motor oil used in vehicles like yours. Both synthetic and conventional oil can help lubricate your engine, but these products have some critical differences:

Conventional motor oil, a form of refined crude oil enhanced with additives, is currently the most popular motor oil option. This type of oil lasts about 3,000-5,000 miles before it needs to be replaced.
Synthetic motor oil functions much like conventional oil but is manufactured from chemical compounds in a laboratory. This oil usually costs more upfront than traditional oil; however, it can last up to 10,000-20,000 miles and offers more effective lubrication.

For the most part, cars in Tulsa can use either type of motor oil or switch between the two freely. If you need help deciding between conventional and synthetic oil, ask the mechanics at Tate Boys for the best advice!