Why Should I Get an Oil Change?

Despite its importance to your vehicle’s overall wellbeing, people oftentimes either put off, forget, or completely forego the Regular Maintenance that their Car needs to ensure it’s continually running smoothly.

I understand that it can be easy to shrug off the Change Oil or Service Now Light in your vehicle, but the harsh reality is that you shouldn’t. It may cost money, it may be inconvenient, but the fact of the matter is that if you don’t bring your car in for Oil Changes once every 3,000 miles, you could end up with no car at all.

You see, your Vehicle needs Oil to function properly. Without Engine Oil, the parts that involve rapidly moving parts that are metal on metal, like the Pistons in the Cylinder Heads, will wear out exponentially faster. The reason for that is Heat, created by the Friction of those parts rubbing together without the proper Lubrication. 

This can cause your Engine to Overheat, which can lead to irreparable damage. 

Making sure to schedule regular Oil Changes for your vehicle will ensure that all of those moving parts have the necessary Lubrication to keep your engine running for a long time because the Oil will reduce the friction, preventing your Engine from Overheating.

Getting your Oil Changed can also remove the dirt and grime that begins to build up when the Oil from your last Oil Change begins to break down. If you go too long between Oil Changes, those dirt and wear particles become more prevalent, giving the Oil a sludge-like consistency. When that happens, the oil loses its viscosity, creating more friction within your engine.

Regular Oil Changes can also help improve gas mileage. Old, Dirty Engine Oil will make your Vehicle work harder to run, which will inevitably increase your Gas Consumption. By keeping up with your Oil Changes, you could very well be cutting down on your vehicle’s Gas Consumption!

Even with all of this, many still won’t stick to a regular schedule of Oil Changes. We understand, it can be a hassle trying to schedule your day around something as simple as an Oil Change. That is why at Pugh’s Service Automotive, we offer Free Pick-up and Drop-Off, along with Free Shuttle Services.

We don’t want you to miss a minute of your day, which is why we gladly offer to drive you to work and drop your car off once it’s finished! We also perform Free Inspections on every car that comes in for an Oil Change. This way, if your vehicle has any issues, you’ll know about it before it develops into something catastrophic.

Call (302)734-4231 to schedule your Oil Change with Pugh’s Service Automotive in Dover, Delaware. Or, feel free to visit our website at www.pughsservice.com

Why is My Car Running Hot?

Have you ever seen the Temperature Gauge in your car begin to rise and wondered why? Your Temperature Gauge normally runs to the cool side, but on this day, it was more to the center of the gauge. Now you are wondering whether you should be concerned.

Overheating is no small issue, so count yourself fortunate you saw the needle’s position on the gauge. This is a clear Warning that your car’s Engine is running Hotter than normal. Below, we provided a couple of common causes of Overheating.

Check Your Engine Fluids

Once your engine has cooled down, check your fluids. You will want to closely focus on the level of the Antifreeze and Engine Oil. Pay attention to both the Level and Condition of each as both aspects could cause the Overheating of your Engine.

The Antifreeze has a Reservoir with level lines that can normally be viewed without removing anything. Your Engine Oil Dipstick should also have clearly marked level lines. Also, if you are able, remove the Radiator Cap and make sure the Radiator is full to the top with Antifreeze.

Low Antifreeze or Low Engine Oil could be an indicator of a leak. In most cases leaks are repaired by professionals such as Pugh’s Service Automotive.

Check Front of Radiator for Debris

After you have checked the fluids and determined they are okay, then look in the front of the Radiator. What you are inspecting the area for is any trash or debris. Debris in the front of your Radiator restricts Air flow to the Cooling System. Proper Air Flow is vital to Engine Temperature, and if it is restricted, then it will cause your Engine to run hot.

The number of plastic bags and cardboard that can get caught between the Grill and Radiator is amazing. These obstructions cut down the amount of fresh air that passes over the Radiator Cooling Fins and is often a reason that your radiator cannot operate at its best.

Less Obvious Causes

If the above checks provided no answers, then a few other causes could include a Faulty Thermostat, Electric Cooling Fan, and a Bad Water Pump. There a host more parts that could cause your Engine to run hot, but all would require further diagnostics and repair by a professional Automotive Repair Shop.

Do not make the mistake of ignoring this issue. Your Temperature Gauge indicating that your Engine is overheating can quickly turn serious and very costly if ignored. Why? Overheating left unattended could lead to Blown Head Gaskets or even Engine Replacements. Both are costly repairs that can be avoided if you are sensitive to where your Temperature Gauge points.

Pleas visit Pugh’s Service Automotive in Dover, or call (302)734-4231 to schedule an appointment.