Your engine contains critical parts that need to be lubricated, cleaned and cooled by your car’s oil and filter.  In addition to oil, your engine requires other fluids used for the operation and protection of systems and components such as brakes, cooling, power steering and transmissions.  Your engine will also be equipped with a variety of filters for your transmission, fuel system and interior ventilation.

ENGINE OIL:

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine.  It reduces friction, lessens wear, provides lubrication, forms a seal between the pistons, rings and cylinder walls and helps cool engine parts.  Without the cleaning action of new oil, carbon and varnish build-up would be toxic to the engine.  And engine oil even dampens the shock and noise of moving parts.

SYNTHETIC OILS:

Synthetic oils contain chemically compounded lubricants that provide:

• Higher viscosity stability over a wider temperature range

• Reduced oil thickening

• Reduced wear and increased load-carrying ability

OIL FILTERS:

Oil filters are designed to trap foreign particles suspended in the oil and prevent them from getting to the engine bearings and other parts.

Automatic transmission fluid: This is oil used in transmissions that lubricates and cools the transmission and transfers hydraulic pressure to shift gears automatically.

BRAKE FLUID:

This is the hydraulic fluid used to transmit pressure through the brake lines in a brake system.  Brake fluid also contains anti-corrosion additives that help protect hydraulic components like brake calipers and anti-lock brake pumps.

COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE:

This is the mixture of water and antifreeze used in a car’s cooling system to maintain the engine's temperature throughout its operating range.

AIR FILTERS:

Air filters remove harmful airborne particulates so they are not introduced to an engine’s combustion process.

A TYPICAL SERVICE WILL INCLUDE:

• Changing your oil and filter every 3,000 miles or three months.  This is especially important if you regularly make short trips in your car, drive in stop-and-go traffic, idle for extended periods, or drive in dusty or dirty air conditions; conditions which are very typical for many Caribbean countries.

• Coolant should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles on cars with ethylene glycol antifreeze.

OIL AND LUBRICANT WARNING SIGNS MAY INCLUDE:

• Your oil pressure light comes on, flickers or stays on.

• You see fluid leaking underneath your engine.

• Dip stick inspection shows oil or fluid loss soon after adding oil or fluids.

• You see oil in the spark plug wells and oil film on different parts of the engine.

• Your transmission is not shifting correctly.

• Your engine or transmission is making odd noises.

• Fluids have a strong burnt odour.

TYPICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN:

• What fluids will you check?

• Is an oil filter change included with this service?

• Have you checked to ensure the oil you are recommending is the correct grade for my vehicle?

• When should I get my next oil change?

• Have you checked to see if any of my car’s fluids are low?