We Answer Common Questions About Getting an Oil Change in Springfield, MO
Thompson Sales strives to be the best car dealership in Springfield, Missouri. To that end, we offer regular services and car maintenance next to our car lot on East Independence in southeast Springfield.
Below are some common questions we get about having an oil change in Springfield, Missouri.
Where can I get my oil changed in Springfield, MO?
Many auto dealers and car service stations offer oil changes in Springfield, Missouri, including Thompson Sales.
Our address is 1555 E. Independence St in Springfield, Missouri.
How much should I expect to pay for an oil change?
Oil changes may cost you between $35 and $75 for conventional oil, while synthetic oil may cost from $65 to $125.
Three factors may change these numbers to the lower or higher range of these scales.
- How much oil your vehicle needs
- Type of oil your vehicle requires
- Brand of oil
At Thompson Sales, a six-quart ACDelco full synthetic oil change package costs $59.95.
Our service technicians will recommend three types of oil for your vehicle:
- ACDelco Gold Conventional Oil
- ACDelco dexos1 Full Synthetic Oil
- Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil
When can I get my oil changed at Thompson Sales?
Our Quick Lube is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m M-F and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. This is on a first-come, first-served basis. Our Quick Lube technicians try to get you in and out fast, but your wait time can depend on how many cars are in front of you before you arrive for an oil change in Springfield, MO.
How long does an oil change take?
An oil change may take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. Service technicians unscrew the old oil filter, drain out the old oil, install a new oil filter, and then add the right amount of new oil to your car’s engine.
We promise a quick oil change in Springfield, MO, when you arrive at our Quick Lube, right next door to our car dealership..
Can I change my car’s motor oil on my own?
Yes. But you will need special tools.
In addition to the oil, you need a bucket to catch the old oil and a tool to remove and replace the oil filter. You must also dispose of the old oil properly by bringing it to an authorized oil change service center. In many instances, it is more convenient to bring your vehicle to a service center or quick lube for an oil change.
How do you check your oil level?
With your engine off, open the vehicle’s hood and find the dipstick. It’s usually on a colored handle that stands out from the rest of your engine. If you can’t find it, check the owner’s manual. Lift out the dipstick, wipe the oil that’s already on it, then insert the dipstick into the tube all the way. Pull it out again to see what level of oil is on the dipstick. There are indicators on the metal that will show you how much oil to add, if any.
What color should oil be?
New oil is slightly translucent with an amber hue. It also has a similar consistency to olive oil. Dirty oil is much darker, almost black, and much thinner. When your oil is very dark, it’s generally time to change it.
Why is my oil light on?
The oil light on your dashboard usually indicates low oil pressure, which can come from low oil levels, dirty oil, or an oil leak.
When your oil light comes on, it’s definitely time for an oil change. Our service technicians may also look for any defects that could cause an oil leak.
How much oil does my car need?
Most vehicle engines need five to six quarts of engine oil to operate properly. Four-cylinder engines, which are the smallest on the market for cars, may only take four quarts. Larger engines might require eight to nine quarts.
The owner’s manual of your vehicle shows how much oil your vehicle needs.
How often should you change engine oil?
5,000 to 7,000 miles or six months of time, thanks to modern lubricants that have evolved with technology. Engines that need fully synthetic motor oil might not need an oil change for 15,000 miles or one year.
Intervals between oil changes also depend on driving conditions. In areas where it is hotter or dustier, you might need to change your car’s oil more frequently.
What is an oil life monitoring system?
An oil life monitoring system (OLMS) or oil life monitor (OLM) tracks your miles driven and the temperature of the oil to remind you when you need to change the vehicle’s oil.
GM’s oil life monitor, found in most new GMC models, also takes into account driving conditions, speeds driven, engine temperature, towing loads, and time intervals when calculating when it’s time to change your oil. On your computerized display, the oil life monitor will tell you the remaining oil life and then alert you when it’s time for an oil change.
Your owner’s manual has more information, or our world-class service technicians can help you when you bring your vehicle to Thompson Sales for an oil change.
What types of engine oil are there?
There are four basic kinds of engine oil: synthetic, synthetic blends, high-mileage, and conventional.
Conventional oil, the most common variety, comes from newly refined crude oil. High-mileage oil is perfect for cars that have 75,000 miles or more. Synthetic blends combine conventional and synthetic oils, while synthetic oils are manufactured in chemical plants rather than mined from the earth as crude.
Your vehicle’s owner manual tells you what kind of oil to use. Our service technicians will also recommend what type of oil should work best in your vehicle.
What do the letters and numbers mean on oil?
The W stands for “winter”. The first number, right before the W, indicates how low of a temperature the oil is rated. The second number denotes the resistance to thinning. SAE means the Society of Automotive Engineers.
So, when you see a bottle of oil that says SAE 5W-30, it means the Society of Automotive Engineers rates the oil to 5 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter with a resistance to thinning of 30. The higher the resistance number (the second one), the more the oil resists thinning as it gets hotter.
Where does motor oil come from?
Motor oil typically comes from crude petroleum (oil) extracted from underneath the surface of the earth. The crude oil undergoes several refining processes at a refinery to remove impurities and add cleaning agents to the final product.
What does motor oil consist of?
Motor oil consists of the base oil, made from refined petroleum, combined with additives. Base oils comprise 70 to 90 percent of the entire product.
Additives to motor oil may include:
- Anti-foam additives
- Antioxidants
- Anti-wear additives
- Corrosion inhibitors
- Detergents
- Dispersants
- Friction modifiers
- Pour point depressants
- Viscosity index improvers
These additives allow your oil to maintain cleaner engines while reducing the heat caused by friction. Different brands and types of motor oil utilize different additives in them. Refineries add these substances before packaging the motor oil into bottles.
Need an Oil Change in Springfield, MO?
Thompson Sales is ready for your oil change in Springfield, MO. Contact Thompson Sales online or call 417-763-6811 for more details.
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