Oil and filter change in Calgary
You get the right oil for your engine, a new brand-name filter and a multi-point inspection every time.
An oil and filter change at Wow Tire & Auto Repair in NE Calgary starts at $79.99 plus tax, with the final price based on your vehicle and oil type. We drain the old oil, fit a brand-name filter, refill with the viscosity your manufacturer recommends, and do a multi-point visual inspection before you leave.
Engine oil keeps metal parts from grinding on each other. It also carries heat away and holds dirt until the filter can catch it. Over time it breaks down and the filter fills up. At our Calgary shop we drain it, replace the filter, and refill with the grade your manufacturer specifies.
Every oil change also includes a multi-point visual inspection. With the car already on the hoist, it's the easiest time to look at brakes, tires, hoses and belts. If we spot something, we tell you what it is, how urgent it is, and what it costs. Then you decide.
How often to change your oil in Calgary
The 3,000-mile oil change is a holdover from older engines and older oil. Your owner's manual is the real authority, and we keep manufacturer maintenance schedules at the shop so we can check yours.
Many newer cars on synthetic oil run roughly 8,000 to 12,000 km between changes. Most manuals also list a severe-service interval, and plenty of Calgary drivers fall into it without realizing. These all count:
- Short trips where the engine never fully warms up, especially in winter
- Lots of idling, including warming the car up on cold mornings
- Towing a trailer or hauling heavy loads
- Dusty or gravel roads
- Stop-and-go traffic most of the time
Conventional, blend or full synthetic
Conventional oil is refined from crude. Full synthetic is engineered to hold up longer, resist breaking down under heat, and flow faster when it's cold. Synthetic blends sit in between.
Use what your manual calls for. Many newer engines, especially small turbocharged ones, are designed for full synthetic and shouldn't get anything less. On a cold Calgary morning, oil that reaches the top of the engine faster on startup means less wear. If your car is specced for conventional, you can move up to synthetic, but you don't have to. We'll tell you the price difference before we start.
Signs you're overdue
The safest habit is to go by kilometres and the reminder sticker. Still, a few things suggest the oil needs attention now:
- The oil light or maintenance reminder is on
- The dipstick shows oil that's dark and gritty, or a level below the low mark
- The engine sounds louder or ticks more than usual
- You smell oil or burning inside the car
- You can't remember the last change
How it goes at the shop
Quote
Give us your year, make and model. We'll tell you the oil your engine takes and the price, plus tax, before you book.
Drain and filter
We drain the old oil and replace the filter with a brand-name one.
Refill to spec
We refill with the viscosity and amount your manufacturer recommends, then check the level and look for leaks.
Inspect
We do a multi-point visual inspection of brakes, tires, fluids, belts, exhaust, cooling system and more.
Report
We walk you through what we found and reset your maintenance reminder. Nothing extra gets done without your OK.
Questions we hear a lot
Still not sure? Call 403-454-7500 and ask. It's free to ask.
Can I go longer between oil changes with synthetic oil?
Often yes, but only as far as your owner's manual allows. Synthetic breaks down more slowly than conventional, which is why many manufacturers set longer intervals for it. If your driving counts as severe service, like short winter trips or towing, use the shorter interval in your manual even with synthetic.
What happens if I skip an oil change?
Old oil gets thick with sludge and stops protecting the engine as well. Wear goes up, parts run hotter, and in bad cases the engine can be damaged. Skipping one change won't usually kill an engine, but it's an easy way to shorten its life. It can also cause trouble with a warranty claim.
Do I need to change the filter every time?
Yes, we recommend it. The filter holds the dirt the oil has picked up, and putting fresh oil through an old, loaded filter defeats much of the point. The dirty filter would start contaminating the new oil right away. A brand-name filter is included in every oil change we do.
Does a shop oil change affect my new-car warranty?
Generally no. Manufacturer warranties typically require that maintenance is done on schedule and to spec, not that it's done at the dealer. Check your warranty booklet to be sure. Either way, keep your receipts. They show the oil type, filter and date, and that's what a manufacturer asks for if you make a claim.
Book your oil change
Call 403-454-7500 for a free quote, or drop by 404 40 Ave NE in Greenview Industrial Park.