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 Calgary. 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 Calgary 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 damage 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 Calgary 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 Calgary. 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 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.

Common Causes of Whining Noise in the Car

August 30, 2020 by Hardik K

Whining noise in the car can be irritating and distracting. 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:

Emergency Battery Booster

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.

Read Related Blog: When Should You Check Your Oil Level

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 warranty-approved oil change to maintain good performance and avoid the whining noise altogether.

Book an appointment for Spring/Summer Tire Changes and Battery Booster Services.

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 are inevitable. You should also change the air filter at 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 and other tune-ups, which reduces gas consumption.

Urban Lube has many delighted customers that have used their tire change and replacement, 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.

Expert Advice on Car Oil Leaks and Preventing the Leakage

June 16, 2020 by Hardik K

An oil leak can be very serious whether it is your car or any other vehicle. Thus, being mindful to check whether there are any oil leak issues with your vehicle or not and taking preventive actions are necessary.

Why is Preventing Oil Leaks Necessary?

It can degrade rubber hoses and seals ahead of time if oil gets on them.
It emits pollutants and hampers the environment.
It can cause serious damage to the engine parts.
It can result in a fire in the engine and can be life-threatening.
It can leave ugly oil stains wherever you park your car and sometimes on the road as well.

How Do I Check If There is a Car Oil Leak or Not?

Checking a car for an oil leak is very easy. Here are the three tips to find the leak.

Check for oil stains in the driveway. This is the simplest way to identify whether your car is dealing with an oil leak or not.
During a drive, check the smoke coming out of your tailpipe. If the smoke is colored blue, it can indicate there is an oil leak in the car engine itself.
Following a drive, check whether there is any smell of burnt oil. If yes, then you are dealing with a car oil leak.

If you come across any of the above-mentioned signs, then you are likely dealing with a car oil leak situation.

As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to quickly get an oil leak solution to stop the leakage or it can result in serious damages to the car engine, rubber hoses, and seals.

The best oil leak solution is to take the car to an experienced mechanic and get it repaired. He will also service the car. However, if you do not want to invest in a professional repair, here are some tips to follow to stop the oil leak in your car:

Car bolts loosen periodically, including, the oil pan. Take a torque wrench to tighten the bolts. Be mindful of knowing patterns and tolerance of the bolts before tightening them. Each bolt has to be tightened according to the fixed pattern and tolerance. The first thing to check and work upon is, of course, your oil pan.
Get an additive available to stop the car oil leak such as No Leak Oil Stop Leak. An additive can stop the leak and prevent further oil leaks.
Get under the car and check for the quality and functioning of the following components:
- Oil pan seals
- Oil pan drain plug
- Timing cover seal
- Valve cover gasket

Any of the above-mentioned car parts in degraded condition cause car oil leaks and has to be fixed as soon as possible.

After applying these oil leak solutions, if you see the signs of an oil leak then you must contact a mechanic to get it repaired and stay safe.

Read Related Blog: How Are Synthetic Oil And Conventional Oil Different?

How Are Synthetic Oil And Conventional Oil Different?

April 17, 2020 by Hardik K

Importance of Oil for your Vehicle

It is the lifeblood of your car’s engine.
It acts as a lubricant for the engine.
It reduces the wear and tear of the engine. This increases its longevity and keeps your car running for a long time.

Considering how crucial oil is for your car, it is important to know the different types of oil available when you take your vehicle to a local shop or a service station based on various Oil Change Offers. When you look for ‘oil change service near me‘ on the go or search it on the internet, make sure that you choose the best oil according to your vehicle, budget, and requirement. Even though you may get wonderful Oil Change Offers on conventional oil, you must think about the environment as well.

Conventional Oil vs. Synthetic Oil: Understanding The Difference

Conventional Oil:

It is derived directly from refined crude oil.
It is highly prone to chemical degradation under extreme conditions such as extreme temperatures and contamination.
It does not last for a long time (smaller lifespan).
It becomes extremely thick at lower temperatures, resulting in a lack of proper circulation in the engine.
It has a lower viscosity index.
It is highly volatile and vaporizes quickly.
It releases a lot of toxic gases and pollutants in the atmosphere, hence is not environment friendly.
It may lead to impaired engine performance if not replaced at the right time.
It is less expensive.

Synthetic Oil:

It is made up of artificially synthesized chemical compounds.
It works better in extreme temperatures and is less susceptible to degradation.
It lasts for a longer time duration. (Longer lifespan)
It flows better at lower temperatures.
It has a higher viscosity index.
It is less volatile and does not vaporize quickly.
It is environment-friendly as it releases lesser atmospheric pollutants.
It circulates more efficiently in the engine, thus improving the overall engine performance.
It is costly, nearly 2-4 times the cost of conventional oil.

Why Is Synthetic Oil Preferred Over Conventional Oil?

If you happen to come across various oil change offers while looking for an oil change service near me option, you should probably opt for synthetic oil after knowing its benefits.

1) Lesser Engine Deposits

Synthetic oil has lower impurities which mean lesser engine deposits. Synthetic oil being cleaner results in deposition of less amount of sludge in the engine.

2) Fewer Emissions

Going in for the synthetic oil change at a service station providing great oil change offers is not only beneficial for your car but for the environment too. This is because synthetic oil emits a lower number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

3) Improved Gas Mileage

Synthetic oil results in improved engine performance which further leads to better mileage.

Urban Lube is well known for its oil change and vehicle maintenance services, so if you are planning for an oil change then book an appointment. We come to you at your home or work and do your oil change or vehicle maintenance services.