Why should engine oil be changed at all? Engine oil is the material that lubricates the moving pieces inside an engine. Synthetic engine oil, which most modern car engines use, is made from a base of polyalphaolefins (a synthesized ethylene) and additives which prolong engine oil life. Having a low viscosity and high lubricity with an excellent thermal stability, synthetic oil is highly engineered to provide fantastic lubrication and get to all the tight spots within the modern fuel efficient engine. That being said, it’s a great product but it doesn’t last forever. As time passes and driving continues, the engine oil is heated and cooled repeatedly which causes the oil to thicken and lose its lubricity over time, coupled with the normal breakdown of engine parts, where microscopic pieces of metal spin off the engine and are embedded, the engine oil should be changed to prevent oil starvation. Another reason the engine oil may need replacement is if the level is low, either due to regular engine oil consumption – some makes are known to burn 1 quart every 1,000 miles! - Or if the engine is leaking oil and causes the operating level to dip below the minimum. Continued driving with low engine oil level is never recommended as it creates higher heat levels within, which breaks down engine oil fast. Of course, if there’s a raging oil leak it may just need a top up, but we don’t suggest driving a car with a massive oil leak. It's not prudent and it’s very bad for the environment.

Engine oil begins to break down at around 3,000 miles and should be replaced approximately every 5,000 miles. There's some variation depending on the type of driving, the engine design and the type of engine oil. Some synthetic oils claim to last 8,000 -10,000 miles. We don’t find that to be true and believe it’s a manufacturer ploy to sell oil at a higher price. We find conventional oil needs replacement between 3,000 and 5,000 miles and synthetic oil needs replacement between 5,000 and 6,000 miles.

Manufacturer dealers are focused on selling new cars. So they typically offer low cost oil services. Sometimes they will throw in the first and second year maintenance at no additional charge when you buy a new car. They tend not to do a good job at preventative maintenance and don't care if your car runs well or not since their goal is to sell you another new car when the warranty expires. At Berkeley Bobs our goal is to keep you happy and your vehicle rolling and dependable for many years.

Just one more thing, Berkeley Bob's doesn't perform just a basic oil change. That's because we feel to do the best job we can for our customers, we offer our 5,000 mile oil maintenance service. We know most cars are likely to only be seen once a year for an oil service and it’s prudent to have the car looked over by a trained professional. Our service includes a road test by one of our ASE certified technicians who know your type of vehicle and are trained to spot concerns early before they turn into something major. This full service includes, in addition to replacing the engine oil and filter with a top quality synthetic and a factory quality or better filter, checking and testing the condition of all the fluids in the car, topping up with the proper fluid if any of the levels are low. If the level is low on any of the fluids, our tech will look for the cause and report their findings. The tires are examined for wear, condition, and inflation and adjusted if needed. The spare tire is also checked for condition and inflation. All the exterior lights are checked and bulbs are replaced if needed on most cars. The wipers and windshield washers are serviced and adjusted if needed along with refilling the washer bottle. The battery condition is checked and it’s tested for charge. All the hood, door and trunk/tailgate hinges are lubricated. Our tech performs a thorough, on- the-lift inspection of your car’s struts, shocks, control arms, steering rods, engine mounts, axles, driveshaft, brake pads and rotors, radiator, cooling system hoses, air and cabin filters, and exhaust system. Any problems are noted, documented, photographed, and sent to you digitally. Lastly the car is test driven again and the tech resets the maintenance light or message.

We want all our customers to know if you’ve had a 5,000 mile maintenance oil service at Berkeley Bob's, then your car is good to go. You can rely on our 20+ years of experience, we know your car and you'll be apprised of any concerns that may hinder your travels. An aware driver is a confident driver. The freedom that comes with that is priceless.