Toyota Engine Oil and Filters

Oil and Filter Services at Atlantic Toyota of Long Island

Engine Oil & Filter Services

Most car owners understand the important of changing their oil and filter at regular intervals. What's so important about an oil change? To start with, oil provides many KEY services to your engine's function. It provides lubrication to all the moving parts, such as pistons and valves. When those moving parts lack enough lubrication, the result is excessive friction and an over-heating engine. Poor engine lubrication can also lead to lower gas mileage - so getting your oil changed can actually improve your gas mileage.  The reason oil must be changed is that over time it becomes contaminated with dust, dirt, and debris from the engine as well as the environment. And the last thing you want are unwanted particles flowing through your engine. Overall, getting oil changes at proper intervals is a huge factor in extending the life of your vehicle. 

Atlantic Toyota offers our customers quick and professional oil and air filter changes. You can conveniently schedule your appointment right on our website. Once you bring your vehicle in, you will be back on the road in no time...and will have a peace of mind that you have taken an important step in keeping your vehicle in top shape!

Myths Surroundig a Car's Oil

The automotive world is awash in little snippets of wisdom that get passed along from person to person, and generation to generation. You know, things like 'Red cars get ticketed more often' and 'Buy the highest grade of gas that you can afford', among hundreds of others. Myths are funny things, once they get established, they aren't easy to extinguish - even when real data refutes their conclusions. In this article, we will look at the top five myths concerning the motor oil in your car.

1) Change your oil every 3,000 miles.

OK, let's start with the big one: 'Change your oil every 3000 miles and your engine will last forever.' Boy, does this recommendation have some sticking power. It seems everyone is privy to this little chunk of wisdom. Problem is, it isn't true. It used to be, though. Many years ago, it was recommended that the standard oil change interval be some 3000 miles. This was a nice conservative recommendation and it worked well. 3000 miles was just at the point when oil got thicker and dirty. Today, experts agree that today's oils last far longer because they are mostly synthetic and have advanced cleaning additives. The result? The average interval for 2010 cars is around some 8,000 miles. On your car? Check your owner's manual, or with your local dealer, to see what interval they recommend.

2) Check the oil on the dipstick. If it's dirty looking, change it.

Petroleum engineers say this is another myth. Sure, it looks like the oil is dirty and that can't be a good thing, but oil that gets dark does not make it harmful to your engine. This is because today's oils have additives in them that change color as they work.

3) When you buy a new car, change your oil at 1000 miles.

This is another one. Decades ago, the car manufacturers recommended changing 'break-in oil' at 1000 miles. Well, not anymore. For example: An auto industry spokesman said leave it alone, and let the dealer change it at the next maintenance check-up. The take-away? Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the first oil change interval for your new car.

4) Once you switch to synthetic oil, you always have to use it.

This is just a myth, it never was true. In fact, the line between synthetic oil and petroleum-based oil is quite blurry because the two types of oil are often blended together today. Switch back and forth as much as you'd like, although there are proven benefits to using synthetic. 

5) You should always change your oil filter too.

OK, trick question! This one is not a myth; it is true. Oil filters perform a critical job in your engine's oiling system and they are cheap. It's just good practice to install a new filter whenever you change your oil.