Oil Change Service in Dallas, TX Ford Service & Quick Lane | Planet Ford Dallas

Why it's important to get your oil changed at regular intervals.

Oil keeps your car's engine running smoothly, which helps to avoid excessive wear & tear to its parts. Regularly checking & changing your oil is therefore extremely important. By doing so, you can lengthen the life of your vehicle & delay expensive repair costs. Here are some things you should know about your engine's oil & when to change it. The expert Ford Service techs at Planet Ford Dallas know their stuff & have the right parts & tools to help make sure the job gets done right.

You want to maintain your vehicle & keep it in great shape. Regular oil & filter changes help your vehicle run with optimum efficiency. When you use the proper grade of engine oil, you can improve your mpg by as much as 2 percent.*

The right oil change at the right time.

The time between your oil changes depends on the type of vehicle you drive & the oil you use. As a rule of thumb, most manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 5,000 miles of driving, or three to four times per year. It's not as frequent as you think, so we can help save you time. In fact, with certain vehicles, you can go 10,000 miles in between oil changes. However, this can vary depending on the make & model of your car, so it's best to consult your owner's manual for more specific instructions. Everyone drives differently, but be assured: we know your vehicle. And we can help maintain it at the appropriate intervals. 

For 2008 & newer model-year vehicles, Ford recommends that you change your oil every 7,500 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

For 2007 & older model-year vehicles, Ford recommends an oil change every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. You can also check Intelligent Oil Life Monitor located in your vehicle's instrument cluster message center.

How Do I Know If I Need My Oil Changed?

The best way to find out whether your oil needs changing is to check it regularly. You can do this at home by raising your car's hood & checking your oil for signs of contamination every month or so. If you see debris floating in your oil or it appears to be separating, it's time to get your oil changed. Debris can prevent your oil from lubricating your engine effectively, while oil separation is a sign that it is breaking down, which reduces its ability to protect the moving parts against wear & tear.

Another option is to keep a note of when you last got your oil changed. If you've driven 5,000 to 10,000 miles since then, you can be fairly confident that it's time to get some fresh oil.

What's the Real Difference Between Synthetic Oil & Conventional Oil?

Conventional oil works fine for most engines by coating the surface of its parts so they can move more smoothly. However, it can break down over time, leaving sticky deposits on engine parts known as sludge. This process can decrease the effectiveness of regular engine oil.

The main difference between synthetic oils & regular oils is that synthetic oil is engineered for better performance. These oils can retain their thickness or viscosity for a longer period of time, & they often work better at extremely low & very high temperatures.

All base oils are graded on a scale from Group I to Group V. Groups I & II refer to oils extracted from crude oil, while Group V oils are fully manufactured from artificial compounds. Many synthetic oils used for cars are based on Group III oils.

There is also an important difference between full synthetic oils & blended synthetic oils that you should be aware of. While the base oil used to manufacture full synthetic oils is synthetic, a blend combines both synthetic & regular oils in a mixture. Blended oils are therefore a step up from regular engine oil, but will not offer the same level of performance as full synthetic oils.

What Are the Advantages of Synthetic Oil?

Because synthetic oil retains its viscosity for longer, it can offer better protection to your engine's parts. For example, a common problem with regular oil is that if you don't start your car for a long period of time, the oil sinks to the bottom of your engine. This can cause what is known as a dry start, which is when the engine's components grind against each other due to the lack of oil when you start your vehicle. Synthetic oil is less prone to cause this problem.

Another advantage is that because synthetic oil doesn't break down as quickly, it doesn't need replacing as often as regular oil. While you should still follow your manufacturer's instructions to determine when your oil needs replacing, some synthetic oils only need replacing after 7,000-10,000 miles of driving, compared to 3,000-5,000 miles for regular oil. This can mean that although you have to pay more for a single oil change if you use synthetic oil, you end up paying less over time because you won't need to change your oil as often.

In addition, the more uniform size of molecules in synthetic oils compared to regular oils can help ensure less friction between your engine's parts. This can lengthen the lifespan of your car's components.

Synthetic oils can sometimes improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. One reason for this is that a smoother running engine requires less power to operate than one which is struggling with poorer quality oil. A related benefit is that synthetic oils help engines to perform to a higher level, which will be of particular interest to you if you run a vehicle with a high-performance setup like the Ford Mustang, or the hard-working Ford F-150.

The Works™: An oil change & much more.

When you visit Planet Ford Dallas, we'll make sure your vehicle is checked properly with The Works, which starts with your oil change. Changing your oil is done in a few simple steps. First, we'll place an oil drain pan under the engine to catch the old oil. Then, we'll loosen the drain plug & let the oil fully drain from the engine. Once the oil has finished draining, we can replace your oil filter & the drain plug. Then, all that's left to do is to lift the hood, open the oil cap, & fill your engine with the volume & type of oil recommended by your manufacturer.

The rest of our complete vehicle checkup includes a tire rotation & pressure check, brake inspection, fluid-top off, battery test, filter check plus belts, hoses check, & a full Multi-Point Inspection, where we test your battery, along with checking your headlights, windshield wipers, transmission fluids, & air filter.

Scheduling your oil change

When you're ready to maintain your vehicle to keep it running at its best, contact Planet Ford Dallas or go to Planet Ford Dallas service scheduler & make your service appointment today. Want to know when it's time for an oil change? Take a look at the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, found in your vehicle's instrument cluster message center.

We hope that our overview of all the important things to know about engine oil & oil changes has answered all of your questions. But if you want to know more, don't hesitate to contact us today at Planet Ford Dallas. Our expert team of auto technicians are waiting to provide you with a professional service that covers all your car servicing needs. Whether it's an oil change, battery test, or a full-service appointment you're looking for, we'll get the job done & have you back on the road, & if you're in a hurry, check out the Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center at Planet Ford Dallas for expert solutions to your vehicles' regular upkeep needs.

*Sources: fueleconomy.gov, epa.gov.

Benefits of an Oil Change

There are several benefits to getting regular oil changes for your vehicle. The biggest benefit is better vehicle performance. Vehicle engines are complicated machinery, and everything needs to operate smoothly to get the best performance. Over time, engine oil degrades as it becomes contaminated with dust and other debris. Replacing this engine oil with new oil can help return your vehicle to optimal performance.

Regular oil changes can also help you save on repair costs. Poor engine oil quality can lead to poor performance, and if you leave it unattended for too long, it can cause damage to your engine. Since engine damage is some of the most costly to repair, you'll want to avoid this as best you can with regular oil changes.

Finally, oil changes can help improve the resale value of your vehicle. When it comes time to sell or trade in your car, you want it to have a high value. Many things determine the value of a vehicle but its maintenance history is a primary factor. Regular oil changes keep your car in great shape, which will help you get more for it when you decide to sell.

When To Schedule an Oil Change

While every vehicle is different, it's typically recommended that you get an oil change service every few thousand miles. For newer Ford vehicles, the recommended interval is every 7,500 miles, while you should get an oil change every 5,000 miles if your Ford vehicle was manufactured before 2008. You can check your owner's manual for the specific requirements of your car.

If you're unsure when you got your last oil change, it's a good idea to schedule one soon. When you get an oil change, you'll receive a window sticker that informs you of when to get your next oil change so that you don't forget again.

You may also want to schedule an oil change if you're experiencing any performance issues with your vehicle. For example, if you find that you're having trouble accelerating or if you notice odd smells/noises coming from under the hood, this could indicate that you need an oil change. Bring your vehicle to a trusted service center and ask them to perform a full inspection of your vehicle to determine the problem. With any luck, a simple oil change will fix everything.

What Does an Oil Change Service Include?

When you bring your vehicle to Planet Ford Dallas, our oil change service includes a few things. First, we'll drain your vehicle of its current engine oil and replace it with the premium engine oil that's right for your vehicle. There are many types of engine oil available and we'll select the best one for your vehicle, based on its age, mileage, engine, and other factors.

After we replace the engine oil, we'll inspect other important engine components. We'll advise you on whether or not you should replace any of your air filters or engine filters, which are also important for a healthy vehicle. If you need new filters, we can replace them simultaneously with your oil change, saving you time and money.

Oil changes are fairly simple but are still best left to a professional service station. Rather than climbing under the vehicle yourself or worrying about how to dispose of your old engine oil safely, we can handle all of this for you. Save yourself the hassle and keep your vehicle in great shape by scheduling an oil change service with Planet Ford of Dallas today.

Why Choose Planet Ford Dallas for Your Oil Change

When it's time to bring your vehicle in for an oil change, you want to bring it to a service station you can trust. Here at Planet Ford in Dallas, we have a large service station dedicated to helping all of our customers. We have over 40 bays in our service area, including Quick Lanes, for faster service. This means you can schedule your oil change at a convenient time and not wait too long to get back on the road.

Planet Ford also only uses high-quality products within your Ford vehicle. This is thanks to our large parts department, which has everything we need to perform an oil change. You can trust that the oil and filters we're placing within your vehicle are the best available and that they are right for your Ford model.

Finally, we make it easy to afford your next vehicle service. We are always offering a range of service discounts that can help make your next maintenance appointment even more affordable. Be sure to check out our service and parts specials before booking your next oil change.

Schedule Your Oil Change Today

Don't wait too long to schedule your next oil change service. Whether you've reached your next mileage milestone, your vehicle's service indicator light turned on, you're experiencing driving issues, or you just want to be extra cautious, now is the perfect time to schedule an oil change. You can easily do so through our website, choosing a time that works best for your schedule.

If you have any questions about our oil change services or other maintenance and repair services, please contact us at any time. Thank you for choosing Planet Ford Dallas. We look forward to helping you keep your vehicle in great shape for a long time to come.