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There is nothing quite like the feeling of a wide-open highway, a packed cooler in the back, and the promise of a summer vacation. Whether you are heading up to the Maine coast or just taking a long weekend down to the Jersey Shore, your car is the vessel for all those memories. But before you hit the gas and leave Coventry in your rearview mirror, there is one critical thing that often gets overlooked: or worse, handled incorrectly.

We’re talking about the humble oil change.

It seems simple enough, right? You drain the old stuff, put in the new stuff, and you’re good to go. However, as a local auto mechanic with nearly a century of experience under our belts here at Moore’s Motor Service, we have seen how a few “simple” mistakes can turn a relaxing road trip into a roadside nightmare. Summer heat, heavy luggage, and long-distance driving put a massive amount of stress on your engine. If your oil isn’t up to the task, your engine won’t be either.

Here are the most common oil change and maintenance blunders we see drivers make before they head out on their summer adventures: and how you can avoid them.

The “I’ll Just Do It When I Get Back” Mentality

The biggest mistake isn’t necessarily doing the oil change wrong; it’s not doing it at all. We often hear drivers say, “I’m only about 500 miles away from my next service, I’ll just wait until I get back from my 1,200-mile trip.”

On the surface, this sounds logical. Why waste a few hundred miles of “good” oil? The problem is that those 1,200 miles you’re about to drive aren’t normal miles. You are likely driving at sustained highway speeds in 80 or 90-degree heat. Your car might be loaded down with passengers and gear, making the engine work harder than it does during your typical commute.

Oil’s job is to lubricate, clean, and cool. As oil ages, it loses its ability to do all three. If you start a high-stress trip with oil that is already nearing the end of its life, you are asking for trouble. At Moore’s Motor Service, we always recommend getting your oil change and maintenance handled before the trip. It’s cheap insurance for your engine’s health.

Using the Wrong Oil Viscosity for the Heat

Not all oil is created equal. If you’ve ever looked at those numbers on the bottle (like 5W-30 or 10W-40), you’re looking at the viscosity, which is essentially how thick or thin the oil is at different temperatures.

In the dead of winter, you want an oil that stays thin enough to flow when it’s freezing outside. But in the summer? You need oil that can stand up to the heat without becoming as thin as water. If the oil gets too thin, it can’t provide a protective film between the moving parts of your engine. This leads to friction, heat, and eventually, expensive damage.

Using the wrong viscosity is a common DIY blunder. When you bring your car to a professional for auto repair in Coventry, RI, we ensure the oil matches your manufacturer’s exact specifications for the current season. This ensures your engine stays protected even when the pavement is sizzling.

The “Filter Fumble”: Why the Filter Matters as Much as the Oil

Changing your oil without changing the filter is like taking a shower and putting your dirty clothes back on. The oil filter is responsible for trapping dirt, metal shavings, and carbon deposits that naturally build up in your engine.

If you skip the filter, all those contaminants stay in the system and immediately pollute your fresh, clean oil. Furthermore, an old filter can become clogged, forcing the “bypass valve” to open. When this happens, unfiltered oil circulates through your engine. It’s better than no oil at all, but it’s certainly not what you want for a 500-mile stretch of highway.

There’s also the “double gasket” disaster. This happens when the old rubber O-ring from the previous filter sticks to the engine block. If you screw the new filter on over it, you won’t get a proper seal. The moment you hit high speeds, that seal can fail, spraying oil everywhere and potentially seizing your engine in minutes. A professional touch prevents these small but catastrophic errors.

Ignoring the “While You’re Under There” Inspection

One of the greatest benefits of taking your car to a trusted local auto mechanic rather than a “quick lube” chain is the expert eye that comes with the service. An oil change is the perfect time for a technician to spot potential problems before they leave you stranded.

While we are under the car, we aren’t just looking at the drain plug. We are checking for:

• Worn Belts and Hoses: Heat makes rubber brittle. A hose that looks “fine” in April might pop in July.
• Fluid Leaks: Identifying a small transmission or coolant leak now can save you a tow truck bill later.
• Tire Health: We often perform a tire repair and rotation alongside an oil change. If your tires are unevenly worn or under-inflated, your fuel economy will suffer, and your risk of a blowout increases in the heat.
• Brake Condition: Stopping is just as important as going, especially when you’re driving through unfamiliar hilly terrain.

If you’re just swapping the oil in your driveway, you might miss the frayed serpentine belt or the bulging tire sidewall that’s waiting to ruin your trip.

Relying Solely on the Dashboard Light

Modern cars are smart, but they aren’t perfect. Many vehicles have an “Oil Life Monitor” that tells you when it’s time for a change. However, these systems are usually based on algorithms and driving habits: they don’t actually “see” the condition of your oil.

If you have been doing a lot of stop-and-go driving or towing a trailer, your oil may degrade faster than the computer realizes. Additionally, these lights don’t tell you if your oil level is low. Engines can consume a small amount of oil over time, and if you start a long trip already a quart low, you are running a much higher risk of overheating.

At Moore’s, we believe in a more hands-on approach. We combine technology with vehicle diagnostics and repair expertise to ensure your car’s vital fluids are exactly where they need to be.

Why Experience Matters: The Moore’s Motor Service Difference

When you’re preparing for a road trip, you want peace of mind. You want to know that the person working on your car cares as much about your family’s safety as you do.

Moore’s Motor Service isn’t just another shop. We are a fourth-generation, family-owned business that has been serving the Coventry area since 1927. That is nearly 100 years of keeping our neighbors on the road. As a veteran-owned shop, we take immense pride in our work and operate with a level of honesty and discipline that you won’t always find at the big dealerships.

We service all makes and models, so whether you’re driving a brand-new import or a trusted domestic truck, we have the tools and the “know-how” to get it ready for the miles ahead. We understand the local roads, the New England weather, and exactly what it takes to prep a vehicle for a summer getaway.

Getting Road-Trip Ready

Don’t let a preventable oil blunder be the reason your summer story includes a highway shoulder and a long wait for roadside assistance. A little bit of preparation goes a long way in ensuring your vehicle remains reliable, efficient, and safe.

Before you load up the trunk and set your GPS, take a moment to consider the health of your engine. A professional check-up is more than just an oil change; it’s a comprehensive look at the systems that keep you moving.

Ready to hit the road with confidence? Let the experts at Moore’s Motor Service handle the heavy lifting. From routine maintenance to complex diagnostics, we’ve been Coventry’s trusted choice for generations. Give us a call or stop by the shop today to schedule your pre-trip inspection. We’ll get you in, out, and ready for the best summer ever.