Engine, Transmission, Differential Oil Service & Replacement in Chicago, IL

Signs You Need an Engine, Transmission, or Differential Oil Change

For engine oil:

• Low oil levels
• Engine oil appears dark and gritty
• Car smells of burnt oil
• Loud clanking noises from your engine

For transmission oil:

• Low transmission fluid levels
• Dark colored fluid
• Strange noises from the transmission
• Difficulty shifting gears

For differential oil:

• Burning smell from the gearbox
• Whirring or whining noises
• Random vibrations while driving

Common Oil-Related Repairs

1. Engine Oil Change

Oil gets dirty and sludgy over time. An oil change involves draining out your old motor oil and replacing it to ensure your engine stays well-lubricated.

2. Transmission Fluid Change

Transmission fluid keeps your transmission lubricated, prevents overheating, and facilitates gear shifting. Changing your transmission fluid involves flushing the oil fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.

3. Engine Oil Pan Replacement

The engine oil pan is the reservoir attached to the underside of your car. You may need to replace it if it’s leaking or damaged. Replacing an engine oil pan can become labor-intensive if its location is hard to access on some cars.

4. Oil Pan Gasket Replacement

The oil pan gasket is between the engine oil pan and the engine block at the bottom of the crankcase. A faulty oil pan gasket can cause rapid oil loss and engine overheating. Replacing an oil pan gasket involves draining the motor oil and removing the engine oil pan.

5. Engine Oil Level Sensor Replacement

The oil level sensor tells you how much engine oil is in the oil pan. It’s typically located at the oil pan’s side or bottom. Replacing it may involve draining the oil pan, depending on its location.

6. Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement 

The oil pressure sensor monitors the engine oil pressure. It’s usually placed in the cylinder block near the oil filter. Replacing it involves disconnecting its electrical connections and installing a new sensor. 

7. Oil Pump Replacement 

The oil pump sits in the oil pan and is responsible for circulating lubricating motor oil throughout your engine. Replacing an oil pump involves draining the motor oil, removing the oil pan and gasket to install a new pump.

Chicago Engine, Transmission, and Differential Oil FAQs

1. How Do I Schedule an Appointment?

Once you select the service you need, AutoNation Mobile Service will help you find a date and time that works with your schedule. 

2. What Should I Expect From a Service Appointment?

Your first appointment with AutoNation Mobile Service is easy. We’ll let you know when we arrive, do a brief assessment of the problem, and set up a location to work on your car, truck, van, or SUV. Once we’ve completed the repair, we’ll let you know, go over any details from the service, collect payment, and be on our way. It’s that simple.

3. When Should I Change My Engine Oil?

Typically, an older car needs you to change its motor oil every 3,000 miles. However, a newer vehicle or a car with modern lubricants may have a longer oil change interval — likely at every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. 

Every manufacturer has different recommendations for when you should go for an oil change. 

To find out, you can always take a peek at your owner’s manual. 

Alternatively, if you have a newer vehicle, you can keep an eye on the oil change light on your dashboard. It should give you an indication that it’s time to get your motor oil changed.

4. How Urgent is Changing Transmission Fluid?

Since transmission fluid lubricates your transmission and keeps it from overheating, you can probably deduce what is liable to happen when you don’t have adequate transmission fluid. That’s a surefire way to cause irreversible damage to your transmission.

5. Is Transmission Oil the Same as Differential Oil?

No, they’re not. Transmission oil (or transmission fluid) is used in automatic transmission vehicles, while differential oil (or gear oil) is for manual gearboxes.