When was the last time your car had an oil change?

Michael & Co. Inc., for over 30 years, has been performing oil changes alongside repairs to keep our customers safe and their cars running smoothly.

Our service center is conveniently located in the Bay Area and we accept appointments — just call us at 408-286-2988.

Michael & Co. Inc. Oil Change Package

Oil change is an integral part of engine protection, and with our affordable oil change service, you can save time and money. We value your comfort and convenience.

Our oil change service includes up to 6 quarts of oil and a new oil filter. We also change your oil according to your manufacturer’s recommendation.

We make sure to refer to your car’s manual to see the specific weight and grade of oil is required to maintain the right fill volume.

Why does your car need oil changing?

In case you don’t already know, regular oil change:

Prevents friction and overheating

Changing your oil regularly maintains engine lubrication. All the moving parts of your car are moving at high speed generate heat. Without proper lubrication, it can wear down your engine. So it is the oil that prevents too much friction and overheating in your car.

Removes dirt and sludge

The oil also removes dirt and sludge, which are particularly damaging to the engine. After a while, the oil breaks down and becomes sludge, which is why an oil change also comes with a filter change, to keep your engine in peak condition.

Gives you better gas mileage

Poor lubrication leads to an increase in fuel consumption since your engine will be working harder.

As per the U.S. Department of Energy, gas mileage can improve over time with regular oil change, which saves your money.

Makes your vehicle last longer

Oil change is part of your car’s routine maintenance. And your vehicle will last longer if it is well-maintained. Also, your car valuation increases if you’ve been regularly maintaining your car.

How to check your car’s oil level:

  1. To check the oil level of your car, open up the hood of your car and locate the dipstick. It is a ring pull protruding from the engine.
  2. Take the dipstick out all the way.
  3. Wipe it using a cloth so you get a clear reading.
  4. Reinsert it back into the engine.
  5. Pull the dipstick out all the way again to get an oil reading. Your dipstick should have markers to indicate the minimum and maximum oil levels.

How to know if your car needs its oil changed:

  1. Check the color of the oil on your dipstick. Fresh oil is transparent brown in color. Oil that needs changing is dark and thick.
  2. Check the consistency of the oil by taking a bit of it and rubbing it between your thumb and forefinger. It should be smooth and not course.

Here’s a video to better illustrate the steps:


Checking the manufacturer’s manual

Every car will have a specific recommendation according to its manufacturer. Some manufacturers recommend changing the oil of your car after clocking in 3,000 miles. However, advances in engine oils have extended oil change intervals to 5,000 miles or 10,000 miles.

Check your dashboard for the oil change signal

Many modern cars will also alert you when it’s time to change your oil. This is usually set according to your manufacturer’s recommendation and should be reset after every oil change.

Oil levels dropping signal a bigger problem

If your car’s oil level keeps dropping, it could mean a bigger problem. You probably have a leak or the oil no longer works for your car, which means you need a complete oil change.

Listen for changes in engine noise

Is there a change in your car’s engine noise? If it’s noisier than usual, it means it’s time for an oil change. The increase in noise could be the moving parts in the engine grinding against one another.

If you are due for an oil change, visit Michael & Co. Inc. We are open from Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. To set up an appointment, call 408-286-2988. Or you can drop by at 380 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126.

2 reasons why people avoid having their oil changed at a dealership:

There are two major reasons why it’s better to have your oil changed at an independent automotive shop:

#1: Cost

Having your oil changed at a dealership is expensive despite it being a relatively simple service.

#2: Convenience

A car dealership is not as accessible as the many automotive dealers and car service shops around. A dealership may not have an appointment available whereas an auto repair shop can have a trained mechanic working on your car immediately.

Michael and Company is a San Jose auto repair shop that can handle all your automotive needs. From automotive repairs and maintenance to auto body work, hybrid car repair, collision services, vehicle glass repair, paint, and restorations.

For appointments, call us at 408-286-2988 or visit us at 380 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126.