When Should You Check Your Oil Level

September 23, 2020 by Hardik K

Engine oil is important as it lubricates different parts of the engine. Moreover, engine oil reduces the wear, extends the lifespan of different parts in the engine, reduces engine heat, and gives many more benefits. It means engine oil is important to maintain the good performance of your vehicle. It further signifies the importance of regular oil changes.

Oil gets used while your vehicle is running and if you do not invest in oil change, it may:

Overheat the engine
Engine block may get cracked due to increased heat

In simple words, an oil change at regular intervals is mandatory. This is accepted by all and almost everyone goes for regular maintenance and an oil change in Regina. However, do you know that not only is a regular oil change a good idea, but regular oil level monitoring is also necessary.

Top Reasons to Monitor Oil Level Regularly

Generally, people do not bother to check the oil level until the oil change cycle is about to complete. However, this could be dangerous for your vehicle and sometimes for you as well. Remember, all cars do not follow the thumb rule of oil change Regina at a specific interval.

Any of the following three causes may need you to monitor oil level regularly:

If you have an older car
If there is an accidental leak
If the car is burning more oil than usual

These three causes may require an early oil change than the predefined cycle. Not changing the oil when the level is low may result in major damages to your engine parts.

Older cars are more likely to be prone to leaks or burning oil.

If the oil is burning, you need to shorten the oil change Regina cycle. There are two major reasons for that:

When there is a leak in the seals of the valve
When engine oil bypasses the piston rings

How to Monitor The Oil Level?

You need to monitor whether your car is burning oil or if there is a leak. You can monitor this in two ways:

Look for bluish smoke when you accelerate the car from the stop position or when you start the engine. This indicates the car is burning oil.
Look for the oil level in the car. If it is going down faster than usual it means there can be a leak or oil burning.

Frequency of Oil Level Monitoring:

You might have a question about how often you should check the oil level or look for signs that indicate you need an oil change Regina. Here are the tips to follow:

If you see bluish smoke while igniting the engine or accelerating from the stop position, you need to check the oil level daily
If you have an old car, you should check the level daily or at least once a week
If you have a new car, you can monitor the oil level once a week or once in a month

Read Related Blog:

6 Major Myths Debunked about Engine Oil
How Much Does an Oil Change Cost at Urban Lube?

Urban Lube offers mobile oil change services, so you just relax and the experts will take care of regular oil changes for your vehicle. Contact us now to book your oil change appointment.

6 Major Myths Debunked about Engine Oil

September 14, 2020 by Hardik K

The importance of engine oil cannot be denied. It not only lubricates parts of the engine, but it also ensures the high performance of the vehicle. This makes it necessary to change the engine oil at a regular interval. There are various myths related to the engine oil and oil change Regina. We will burst those myths in this blog post.

1. Before a Road Trip, Engine Oil Must be Changed

We debunk this myth now to save some money for you. There’s only three conditions that mean you need an oil change before your road trip:

You have a scheduled appointment for an oil change Regina right before the trip or during the days of the trip
You have a scheduled appointment for an engine oil change on the same day or within a few days after coming back from the trip
If your vehicle leaks oil or the oil level is not as per the recommendation in your vehicle

2. After Every 3,000 Miles, an Oil Change is Necessary

Each vehicle needs oil change based on various factors. There is no hard rule for an engine oil change interval. The best approach is following the manual of the manufacturer for an oil change in Regina. Remember, you do not need to change the oil after every 3000 miles because:

Modern engines are more resilient
Modern oils such as synthetic oil are better

3. Oil Filter Does Not Need To Be Changed with Each Oil Change

You will make a huge mistake by believing this myth. If you do not change the oil filter every time you change engine oil, you will have a filter full of impurities. They can make their way to the engine oil you have just refilled, which further results in damages.

4. Only One Type of Engine Oil Must be Used

Some people say, once you start using synthetic oil, there is no way back to use regular oil. This is not true at all. You can change the type of oil as and when needed, of course after consultation from your vehicle service center. Normally, changing from regular oil to synthetic oil and vice verse does not damage your engine.

5. Synthetic Oil Gives Greater Mileage

Not completely true. Compared to other petroleum-based engine oils, synthetic oil lasts longer. This is because of its characteristics such as:

It does not allow the formation of too many deposits
It can work efficiently even in extremely high temperature
It provides superior stability to the engine
It protects the engine against wear

6. Synthetic Oil Tends to Leak

This is one of the biggest myths amongst people using oil change in Regina. Oil leaks only when you overfill it or you have leakage. People think that synthetic oil is greasier because it is thinner. This property of synthetic oil helps to deliver better performance, but it does not make it slip through cracks, holes, etc.

Read Next Blog: How Much Does an Oil Change Cost at Urban Lube

Common Causes of Whining Noise in the Car

August 30, 2020 by Hardik K

Whining noise in the car can be irritating and distracting, both. Assuming there are no hungry children in the back seat – it also usually indicates there is some issue with the car which has to be addressed before it becomes a major issue or results in a breakdown. There can be multiple causes of car whining noise, from the requirements of an oil change to a stuck piston, or something else.

Here are some of the major issues which might be causing whining noise in your car.

1. Steering Wheel

One of the reasons for this noise could be your power steering. If your car makes a whining noise when you take a turn it could be:

Possible damage to steering belt
Steering belt got loose
The fluid leak in the system of power steering
Some transmission problem

Solutions:

Tighten your steering belt if it is loose
Replace the steering belt if it is damaged
Visit mechanic in all other cases

2. Low Oil

If your car makes a whining noise while idling the car, it is likely because of low oil. You either have an oil leak or are low on oil. You need an oil change service from your mechanic.

3. Stuck Valve

Another cause of whining noise that is usually heard while idling the vehicle is a stuck valve. If any of your valves need adjustment, it may make some noise and you need to fix it or visit a mechanic.

4. Transmission Problem

If you experience whining noise while accelerating, it can be due to some sort of transmission problems. Causes of these issues could be any of the following:

An oil leak caused low fluid
Worn-out gears
Low power steering fluid
Broken piston
Damaged alternate bearings
Bad AC compressor

This could be a serious or simple issue and may get resolved with a simple synthetic oil change or may need a complete part replaced or tuning.

Most Common Causes of Whining Noise in a Car

There can be different causes of whining noise and with a little inspection, you can generally isolate the part making this noise. One of the most common issues could be related to oil, which indicates you need an oil change or oil refill. As soon as you start experiencing whining noise, check the oil level and transmission fluid level. If it is low – you have to get it to the level it should be.

If you have recently gotten a synthetic oil change and within less than the expected time your car has started making whining noises again due to low oil – it is more likely that there is a leak. It has to be repaired so you can avoid whining noise as well as save money on the frequent oil changes, as well as protect the environment.

There are some products in the market which let you repair the leak by yourself. However, if you are not really sure how to do it take the service of reliable repair service.

Read Next Blog: Complete Guide for Fleet Maintenance

It is also advisable to use regular tuning and repair along with a regular oil change to maintain good performance and avoid the whining noise altogether.

Can You Save Money on Gas by Increasing Fuel Efficiency?

July 31, 2020 by Hardik K

You cannot do much about increasing gas prices. However, you can definitely do much about increasing fuel efficiency, getting some extra miles and saving you money. Let’s check some of the major ways of saving money on gas by increasing fuel efficiency:

1. Make Sure Tires are in Good Condition

Believe it or not, all parts of the car (even your driving habits!) contribute to your fuel use. Here are some of the tips you must keep in mind:

Invest in regular tire changes and replacement service if your tires are too old and worn.
Regularly check the tire pressure and do what’s necessary to make sure it has the required air pressure.

2. Stay Conscious About Some Driving Habits

Tire changes and replacements are not enough. You also need to be conscious about some of your driving habits such as:

Do not indulge your racing instincts… For safety and fuel consumption – go easy on the acceleration and breaking.
Steady driving contributes to good fuel efficiency. Try and maintain your speed when driving distances.

3. Take Good Care of the Engine

Engine performance unquestionably contributes to gas usage and money saving on gas. Thus, you must get vehicle service at regular intervals. Oil is an important element to enhance and maintain the performance of the engine. Regular oil changes in Regina are inevitable. You should also change the air filter at a regular interval.

4. Do Not Carry Too Much Weight

Yes, you read it right. The more weight you carry in the car the more gas it will burn. It is necessary to be conscious of what you are carrying with you in the car. Some tips for keeping an eye on your load weight:

Empty your back seats and trunk whenever possible
Do not give a lift to too many people unless it is unavoidable
Fill your tank half full of fuel rather than getting it filled completely. This reduces the overall weight. However, keep an eye on the situation – you don’t want to be left stranded with no station to fill the gas and no fuel.

5. Use fewer Comfort Features

Modern cars and other vehicles as well come with an amazing range of amenities to make your drive more comfortable and pleasant such as:

Open sunroof
Open windows
Heated seats
Heater
Air conditioner

Use of these comfort features while driving the car often increases gas consumption.

Read To Know More: How Much Does an Oil Change Cost at Urban Lube?

6. Tune-up your Car with a Reliable Service Provider

It is necessary to go for regular tune-ups for the car or any other vehicle you use. They will do an oil change Regina and other tune-ups, which reduces gas consumption.

Urban Lube has many delighted customers that have used their tire change and replacement in Regina, synthetic oil changes, and many other services to keep the vehicle fuel-efficient and save money on gas. Contact Urban Lube to get your vehicle inspected and tuned to keep it fuel-efficient.

How Much Does an Oil Change Cost at Urban Lube?

July 21, 2020 by Hardik K

Urban Lube is renowned for its warranty approved oil change service in Regina, but I am sure you want to know more about the pricing of Urban Lube for an oil change. Whether you are casually checking the prices of synthetic oil changes in Regina or you want to become one of the many customers who trust Urban Lube with their vehicle, this article will give you an insightful answer about the oil change costs of Urban Lube.
To get straight to the point: the cost of an oil change at Urban Lube ranges from $45.00 to $269.00. There are many factors that define the cost of a synthetic oil change in Regina.

Let’s outline those factors.

1. Quality of the Oil

There are different types of oil available and different types of oil change services offered by Urban Lube such as:
• Synthetic oil change
• Semi synthetic oil change
• Full synthetic oil change
• Conventional oil change
• And more
The vehicle type and the preference of the vehicle owner impact the type of oil selected. Moreover, there are different brands of oil available in the market. Even within the Castrol brand, there are multiple types of oil available. The cost of an oil change mainly depends on the type of oil and the brand of oil selected at Urban Lube.

2. Regular or Warranty Approved Oil Change

If you have a new vehicle and it is under warranty coverage, then you will need a warranty approved oil change. If the vehicle warranty is over, you can use a regular oil change if you prefer. Urban Lube has trained mechanics that have experience and expertise in both types of oil change. Urban Lube is, in fact, one of the most popular warranty approved oil change service providers. The trained mechanics of Urban Lube make sure that your vehicle warranty does not get voided with our warranty-approved synthetic oil change service. The cost of an oil change depends on the warranty approval factor as well.

3. Service Needed

One more defining factor in synthetic oil change Regina cost is the type of service you need. Below is the list of services you may need:
• Regular oil change from the service center
• Urgent oil change from the service center
• Mobile oil change service
Sometimes, you may notice the cost of a synthetic oil change at one service center of Urban Lube is different than another. This can happen, as the cost of an oil change varies depending on various factors as outlined above. One thing Urban Lube assures is the satisfaction of getting excellent service, high quality oil, and a quick oil change.

This is the reason many vehicle owners make Urban Lube their first choice, whether it is for a warranty approved oil change or synthetic oil change in Regina.

To get a quote for your vehicle, contact us.

Motor Oil Viscosity Grades and Viscosity Testing

July 13, 2020 by Hardik K

The most crucial component for any vehicle to run seamlessly on the road is the engine (motor) oil. Engine oil is the lifeblood of any car’s engine.

Functions of Engine Oil

• Lubricates various internal components of the engine, prevents friction between them, and reduces their wear and tear
• Helps to prevent rust and corrosion
• Acts as a coolant and absorbs heat, thereby preventing overheating
• Cleans engine by removing sludge and soot from the engine block
• Neutralizes the acids released during the combustion process

Considering the wide range of functions performed by the engine oil, it is clear that it is an essential element of our vehicle’s engine.
Did you know that not all engines can use the same engine oil? Different engines need different engine oils in order to function optimally. In order to deliver top-notch performance and increase the longevity of your vehicle, it is important for you to select the motor oil that has the appropriate grade of oil viscosity. There is a wide range of motor oil viscosity grades available in the market and you need to choose one the proper one for your engine.

What are Motor Oil Viscosity Grades?

• The viscosity of engine oil is measured by its resistance to flow or how easily it flows at a specified temperature.
• The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established a unique coding system to grade motor oils.
• Engine oils are categorized into different grades on the basis of the oil viscosity.
• Different engine oils behave differently during changes in temperature.
• The choice of the ideal viscosity of engine oil depends on your engine and the climate in which you are driving.

Measuring Viscosity of Engine Oil

The motor oil viscosity grades consist of four characters XW-XX. The first two numbers, i.e. one preceding the letter W and the other succeeding the letter W determine the oil viscosity.
• The letter ‘W’ stands for winter, while the number that comes before W indicates how the engine oil will react in cold conditions (cold engine start). The lower number before ‘W’ means less thickening and better flow in cold conditions. For example, the 5W-30 grade will have a better flow than 10W-30 grade in cold conditions.
• The second number after the letter ‘W’ is an indication of how the oil flows at higher temperatures (normal engine operating temperatures). The lower number after ‘W’ means less thickening and easier flow at higher temperatures. For example, the 5W-30 grade will have a better flow than the 5W-40 grade at normal engine operating temperatures.

Motor Oil Viscosity Testing Steps

Engine oil viscosity can be tested as follows:
• Fixed volume of an engine oil sample is introduced into the viscometer tube.
• The sample flows through the tube.
• The time required for the sample to flow through the calibrated portion of the tube is recorded.
• The recorded time is multiplied by the tube’s calibration factor to give the oil viscosity in centistokes (cSt).