An oil change replaces the engine oil and filter with the grade and specification your engine requires, and it is the single most important service for engine life. AutoTech Clinic changes oil at our shop on Michigan Ave at Telegraph in Dearborn, usually while you wait.
Every oil change here includes an inspection. We measure brake pads and tire tread, check fluids, look at belts and hoses, test the battery and inspect the underbody for rust and leaks. You get the findings before you leave.
- How Long
- About 30 to 45 minutes.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Oil Change
- The oil life monitor reads low or a service reminder is showing
- You have reached the mileage or the time in your schedule
- The oil on the dipstick is black and thin rather than amber
- The engine sounds noisier than usual on startup
- A low oil level between services
- It has been more than a year, regardless of miles driven
What We Do
- 01
Use the Correct Oil
We use the viscosity and specification your manufacturer requires. Modern engines with variable valve timing are sensitive to the wrong grade.
- 02
Quality Filter and New Washer
We fit a filter that meets the original specification and use a new drain plug washer, because a reused washer is a common source of a slow leak.
- 03
Inspect on the Lift
While the car is up we check brakes, tires, suspension joints, CV boots, brake lines, exhaust and the underbody for rust and leaks.
- 04
Check and Top Fluids
We check coolant, brake fluid, power steering and washer fluid, and test the battery and charging system.
- 05
Report and Reset
We tell you what we found, what is urgent and what can wait, reset the oil life monitor and record the service.
Why Short Trips Are Hard on Oil
Burning fuel produces water, and some of it condenses in the crankcase. On a drive long enough to bring the oil up to full temperature, that water boils off. On a short trip it does not, and it stays in the oil where it forms acids and sludge.
A lot of driving in Dearborn is exactly that: a few miles to work, a few miles to the store. If most of your trips are under fifteen minutes, your engine is in severe service even though the mileage looks low, and the interval should be shorter.
What the Oil Life Monitor Actually Measures
Most modern vehicles do not simply count miles. The computer tracks engine temperature, run time, trip length, engine load and revolutions to estimate how hard the oil has worked, which is far more accurate than a sticker on the windshield.
Trust it, with one caveat: it cannot detect a problem such as fuel dilution from a running issue, and it does not account for time if the car sits. We check the oil condition on the dipstick as well, and we will tell you if what we see does not match what the monitor says.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Conventional, synthetic blend or full synthetic oil
- How much oil your engine holds, which ranges from about 4 to 9 quarts
- Cartridge filters versus spin on filters
- European specification oils, which cost more
- Any additional fluids or filters replaced at the same visit
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.