Does motor oil expire? How long does motor oil generally last?
Valvoline motor oil does not have a documented expiration date. Under optimal conditions, the product is stable for an extended period of time and can be used as long as the American Petroleum Institute (API) rating on the label continues to meet or exceed the requirements listed in your owner’s manual. If the rating is still current, shake the container before use to blend any additives that may have settled.
How much does an oil change cost?
The price of oil changes varies between different places based things like local property taxes, staff costs and even what the cost of the lease for the property may be.
However, the biggest factor in oil change costs will be the choice of regular versus synthetic oil. Synthetic Oils will cost more, however, they may lead to lower maintenance costs or better fuel economy in the long run.
Some manufacturers of high end cars recommend only synthetic oil. Different drivers will have different needs, and will be able to decide themselves which option is best for them.
Places where an oil change costs a little more will also have more experienced staff. At Express Care in North Vancouver, most of our staff have many years experience doing oil changes. They know many types of cars and other vehicles. Experienced technicians can tell you where attention and maintenance will be needed and make accurate recommendations on the maintenance that is really needed.
Is recycled motor oil better for the environment?
Yes. Recycling motor oil prevents used oil from contaminating the soil and water. Recycled motor oil also uses 56 percent fewer resources compared to oil made without recycled content.
Does motor oil ever wear out or does it just get dirty?
Motor oil breaks down with mileage and time – the oil additives weaken as the engine oil is used. Dirt can be a factor as well. Changing motor oil on a regular basis will eliminate these factors.
Are conventional motor oils natural, unprocessed products?
The base oils used in conventional motor oils come from a natural source and are then put through a hydrocarbon process in which the additives are blended.
Will changing my vehicle‘s motor oil myself or using a certain brand void my manufacturer’s warranty?
Changing your vehicle’s motor oil yourself or using a different brand of oil from your manufacturer’s factory fill will not void the warranty. As long as the motor oil being used meets the manufacturer’s standards required for the vehicle, the warranty cannot be considered void.
Can I use motor oil in a manual transmission?
If a manual transmission application does not call for the use of motor oil, it is strongly recommended not to use motor oil. Follow the owner’s manual requirements for the correct fluid to use for your particular application.
Can I get an oil change near me?
Yes! If you are looking for an oil change and live anywhere on the North Shore – In North Vancouver or West Vancouver, then Express Care North Vancouver is nearby and happy to change your oil, and take care of other things, including Fuel System cleaning, Automatic Transmission Fluid Replacement, Cooling System Service, and much, much more.
No Appointment Necessary – We will see you when you get here!
Conveniently Located at 1362 Marine Drive, between Philips and Bridgeman, we are open from 8am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday.
If you are not on the North Shore, perhaps our Express Care Oil Change location in Maple Ridge is more convenient.
Are all brands of motor oil basically the same?
All brands of motor oil are not the same. Quality, base oils, additives, etc., can be different from one brand to the next.
Is switching motor oil brands harmful to my engine?
No. Switching brands is not harmful to your engine since all motor oil manufacturers must meet the same industry standards for performance and compatibility. However, make sure you follow the recommendations provided in your owner’s manual for viscosity and API category.
Why do some motor oils carry the "API Certified - For Gasoline Engines" starburst symbol on the bottle while others do not?
Additive packages used in some motor oils such as high mileage motor oils can affect the ratings due to the American Petroleum Institute approving these standards. The oils will meet the requirements for API Certification.
Does Valvoline Conventional motor oil meet GM standard GM6094M?
All Valvoline motor oils meet the GM standard GM6094M including SynPower, DuraBlend, Premium Conventional, and MaxLife.
Are Valvoline All-Climate and Valvoline Premium Conventional the same product?
Yes. The name All-Climate was simply updated to Premium Conventional.
Which Valvoline motor oil brands are conserve energy?
All brands of Valvoline motor oil with the following viscosity grades are energy conserving: SAE 0w20, 5w20, 5w30 and 10w30.
Will using recycled motor oil void my manufacturer’s warranty?
No. All major car manufacturers have approved the use of recycled motor oil that is properly certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Valvoline® NextGen ecycled motor oil carries and exceeds all API certifications.
Is Valvoline NextGen™ recycled motor oil just dirty oil that has been cleaned?
No. NextGen uses a newer refining process just like crude oil refining. A multi-stage refining process removes contaminants and additives to create fresh oil that performs as good as new. Then special additives are blended to create recycled motor oil with superior performance and protection characteristics compared to specifications. Valvoline has a rigorous quality control process to assure that NextGen is of the highest quality.
What is the difference between regular and synthetic oil?
Regular oil is just refined crude oil, and it has been with us for decades keeping cars running smoothly. It is also the least expensive, and may be perfect if you are on a budget or are not concerend about car longevity or performance.
With the develpment of high performance cars and engines that run faster and hotter, the quest for a purer, smoother motor oil began.
Engine Oil manufacturers started innovating by adding different lubricants, and additives, and striving for a more consistent molecule size. Over the years,they have created better and better synthetic oils that will last longer without breaking down, will better protect your car engine, and will allow some engines to perform better and get improved fuel economy.
