What is Oil and Filter Service?

Oil is pouring into a receptacle inside of the car engine.

The Importance of Car Oil Maintenance

Not all car owners are aware of the importance of maintenance and upkeep of their cars. With the numerous oil and lube shops around the Hopewell, New Jersey area, and around the country, there are still many car owners who ask, “Where can I get oil and fuel services for my car?”. 

There are many components and parts to a car, and all of them work together to make a  car run. But they can’t work without oil and fuel. Service for my car, or anyone’s car is important when it comes to the oil and fuel. The oil keeps the metal components and parts lubricated which keeps them operating smoothly.

In order for your car to run, it needs both oil and fuel. Oil is the black and slimy fluid that lubricates the car parts to keep them running smoothly and the fuel is what powers the engine. Most of the time, you can do your own oil and fuel services. For my car sometimes though, just as with the person reading this and thousands of others, professional services are needed.  

Where can I get oil and fuel services for my car?

For anyone who hasn’t had any of these services done, we are going to review some common questions and provide answers to “Where can I get oil and fuel services for my car?” in this post, like just what is included in a fuel system service.

First, let’s remember that while both fuel and oil are needed for every car, they aren’t always serviced together.  Even though the fuel system of cars today isn’t as complicated as it is in older carbureted systems, you still need oil and fuel services performed. Your next question is probably, “How often do I need to get oil and fuel services for my car done?”, and the answer is it depends on the age of the car and the amount of mileage on the engine. For the fuel services, most need this service when it has gone through 10,000 gallons or more of gasoline.

A full professional fuel service will include chemical cleaning and replacing certain components that are worn. Those components include: 

  • The fuel pump
  • The fuel filter
  • Fuel injectors

In most cars, the fuel filter is changed every 30,000 miles, but some car manufacturers may have different recommended intervals.  The fuel pump and fuel injectors are typically only replaced when they are exhibiting problems. 

Is a fuel system service necessary?

Your car will drive without getting the fuel portion of the oil and fuel services. But over time, it can start causing problems. The chemical cleaning process of the fuel system will remove any deposits settled and built up in the fuel system. These deposits can get into the fuel pump inlet, fuel filter, fuel lines, or fuel injectors and affect the fuel flow. This puts additional stress on the fuel pumps and keeps the fuel injectors from delivering the proper amount of fuel needed for the car to run. 

What in included in an oil service?

If you’re asking, “Where to get oil and fuel services for my car.”, you probably don’t know what should be included in the oil service portion.  This can be different between garages that do oil services, but most of them include the following: 

  • Five quarts of oil 
  • A new oil filter
  • Lubrication of the chassis components 
  • Check and top off assorted fluids including:
  • Transmission
  • Power Steering
  • Washer fluid
  • Antifreeze/coolant

Most oil and lube shops or garages will also include in the oil service portion of the oil and fuel service for my car the following: 

  • Check the tire pressure, add if needed.
  • Check and change if needed and approved by the customer:
  • Air filter 
  • Serpentine belt
  • Wiper blades
  • Vehicle exterior light
  • Battery, cables, and posts

Another common question includes: How much do oil and fuel services for my car cost?

Just like what is included in the oil and fuel services for my car can vary, so will the costs.  And whether you have them done all at once or separately can have an impact on the costs.  The typical cost of an oil and filter change service that includes a new oil filter and using conventional oil can start around $100 and go upwards.  The make, model, manufacturer’s recommendation, or customer’s request can affect the cost. 

How often should I get oil and fuel services for my car?

Thanks to the modern lubricants on the market today, and the technology of car engines has improved, you can go longer intervals between oil change services. The standard recommendation is every 5,000 to 7,500 miles and some cars that use a full-synthetic motor oil can go up to 15,000 miles.

In Closing 

Are oil and fuel services for my car worth the expense and time? Absolutely!  Both of these services are considered basic car maintenance and upkeep, and both will keep your car running smoothly for many years. If you need oil and fuel services in Hopewell and Pennington, NJ, please give our team a call at 609-737-7226!