oil changeOil changes at Hoover Automotive include a free courtesy inspection at no extra charge where we will top off your vehicle fluids, check the air pressure in your tires and perform inspections on all fluid levels and critical engine systems. There’s a 3-part reason for doing this:

    • 1. We want to make the trip worth it for you. We know a trip to the auto shop during your work week isn’t the most convenient task in the world, so we want you to get more than just new oil.
    • 2. We want to catch potentially dangerous issues early. Just like you go to the doctor (or should) to get a yearly exam to get a general idea of your health and get told what you need to be cautious about (hello, high cholesterol), your vehicle needs a checkup. What better time than when you’re already here? It would be unfair of us to change your oil and neglect the rest of your vehicle then find out a few days later that you had a very preventable issue turn into a huge repair.
    • 3. This goes along with the previous reasons and we want to shoot straight with you. No beating around the bush. We want the oil change to be worthwhile to you, but we also want it to be worthwhile to us as well. When we give you a diagnostic overview, we may recommend certain services we provide or suggest getting a new set of tires. Here’s the deal- we’re not going to make up non-existent issues in order to make money and we’re not going to charge you an exorbitant amount for the suggested repairs. But we do want to be the ones to make you aware of the issue, and be the ones to fix it for you.

Why do oil changes have to be done?

You may be so used to having your oil changed that you’re not even really sure why you have to or what it does. So if you don’t already know, we think it’s a good idea to know what your engine does and how oil helps- your vehicle counts on new oil and oil filters to keep it operating efficiently. Oil lubricates crucial engine parts to minimize wear to those moving parts, like pistons which are constantly in motion while your engine is running. Without the right oil or with a lack of oil, these parts will heat up from rubbing against each other and wear down quickly or even overheat your engine. Regularly scheduled oil changes will effectively increase your engine's efficiency as well as maintain the life of your car's engine.

When to check or change your oil?

At a bare minimum, you need your oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles you put on your vehicle. If you’re ever curious how your oil is doing and your vehicle doesn’t automatically provide you with oil levels, you can check them on your own pretty easily. Here’s a quick refresher: Make sure you’re parked on a level surface and turn the vehicle off. Open the hood, remove the oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then stick it back into the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see if the oil level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If the levels are low or your oil appears to be dark and dirty, it’s time to have it changed. The other more obvious signs are a “check oil” or “check engine” light on your dashboard. Your nose and ears can help too- if the interior of your car smells like burnt oil or you hear a pinging sound, it’s time to bring it in for an oil change at our shop in Hoover, AL.