Blog / Alexandria MINI Dealer

MINI of Alexandria explains why oil changes are important and how often you should have the service done to your vehicle

One of the most important things you can do to keep your vehicle healthy and running smoothly is to change its oil. Changing a vehicle’s oil is simple enough to do at home, but if you simply do not have the time to do it yourself, fear not, your friends here at Passport Auto Group are here to help you out. Our trained specialists use parts from each manufacturer and have the experience and knowledge to get your oil change done in a timely fashion so you can get on with your busy day. Many people who bring their vehicles in when they need to change their oil do not think about bringing it to a dealership because they think we charge more than other places. In fact, our prices are very competitive, and we use genuine parts while other service shops may not. We also include many other service features to go along with your oil change to make your vehicle drive like the day you drove it off of our lot. HOW OFTEN DO I NEED AN OIL CHANGE? You may be under the impression that every car needs an oil change at exactly three months or 3,000 miles. Or maybe you're on the other end of the spectrum and you won't bother until your engine actually stops running. (Spoiler alert: if that has happened, it's too late.) The first example is just a little off. The second is scary! MY, HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED. The standard 3,000 mile rule comes from an earlier age of vehicle production. With advances in both engine and oil technology, you don't need to stick to such a frequent schedule. Some classic and specialty cars will still want to be on this tighter timetable, but if you're driving a vehicle built in the last decade or so, it probably isn't necessary. It won't hurt the car, but you might just be wasting some good oil if you change it too often. BUT WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TO CHANGE THE OIL IN MY CAR? Oil lubricates your engine and all of its little components. When the oil breaks down, it can't do its job effectively anymore. With all that friction, your engine will overheat, which can cause parts to quickly wear down and warp. If you just never change your oil, your engine is likely to eventually seize up and turn into a big useless pile of scrap metal. SO WHAT SHOULD I DO? Unfortunately, there isn't really an easy rule to remember across the board. Each car is different, and each driver is different. The first thing to do is check your owner's manual. For example, some manufacturers recommend a maximum interval of 12 months or 7,500 miles between oil changes for many of their models. Your next guideline is to make sure you always pay attention to your vehicle's notifications and warning lights- most new vehicles include some very cool technology and it would be a shame to ignore it! You'll want to adjust your own oil change schedule depending on your driving habits and conditions. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can cause your oil to work a little harder. Here are some other factors to consider: • Stop-and-go vs. highway mileage • Mountains and hills vs. flat terrain • Frequency of heavy loads or towing • Frequency of engine idling Don't forget to check our service specials page for any applicable money-savers, and then schedule a service if your car is ready for an oil change. Please feel free to call or stop by to discuss your own vehicle and driving habits - our experienced technicians are here to help you get the most out of your car, and we can help you come up with an oil change schedule you're comfortable with. We know our environment and our brand, so be honest about how aggressive you drive and we'll make sure your car gets the best possible care! CHOOSE YOUR OIL TYPE WITH THE HELP OF OUR EXPERTS Considering the type of oil that you need for your vehicle to continue a successful streak of commuting? There are a number of options that your vehicle may or may not be right for, and it can sometimes be confusing differentiating between the choices that are available. We are here to help! We have a preview of standard motor oil, synthetic blend and full synthetic ready for you to review, and we look forward to your next scheduled oil change here at our service center! STANDARD OIL This is the most common brand of oil that you will discover for your vehicle, and one that most leading brands carry. Usually distinguished by a 5W-20 or 5W-30 branding, this oil is recommended to be changed every couple months or thousands of miles, with a routine maintenance appointment easy to schedule with our factory-trained technicians. FULL SYNTHETIC OIL A full synthetic blend proves to be a more expensive type of oil, but for good reason. This oil type is superior to that of standard oil, and designed to thrive in both colder and hotter climates. Tested for maximum performance and held to stringent standards, this oil is typically required for more technologically advanced engine types. SYNTHETIC BLEND Mixed with an organic blend and full synthetic, this type of motor oil typically is relegated to pickup trucks and specific SUVs. Designed to support heavy transportation loads and extreme climates, you will be confident in the strength and durability of this oil type. Click here to schedule your oil service today
Posted in:

Related Posts

MINI announces three new unique special editions for model year 2023

MINI USA announces the launch of three new special editions that will extend across the full 2023 model range as of March 2022 production. The MINI Resolute Edition will be available on the MINI Hardtop 2 Door including the MINI Cooper SE electric vehicle, the MINI Hardtop 4 Door and the MINI Convertible. The MINI Untold Edition will be available on the MINI Clubman, including the 301hp high-performance John Cooper Works model, and the MINI Untamed Edition will be available on the MINI Countryman including the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid model. This is the first time that MINI will produce a full range of special editions across the current model lineup, all to be launched at the same time. The special edition models have particularly authentic product personalities, each one featuring its own distinctive hallmark character. The exclusive and precisely coordinated design and the equipment features emphasize each model’s characteristic elements. The Resolute Edition clearly emphasizes the individuality, traditional style, self-confidence and unmistakable charisma of the original in the premium segment of this vehicle class. The versatile qualities of the MINI Clubman, in combination with its stylish design and unique body concept, are highlighted particularly intensively in the Untold Edition. In the Untamed Edition, the MINI Countryman sharpens its profile as the perfect companion for spontaneously heading out on adventures beyond the bounds of the city. Each special edition has its own model-specific characteristics with particularly attractive body paint finishes and alloy wheels, high-quality interior design and exclusive decorative elements for the exterior and interior. more The MINI Resolute Edition: Pure driving joy, unparalleled charisma. As the original in the premium small car segment, the MINI combines a thrilling drive with an unconventional appeal that is attractive to different target groups, characterized by its hallmark design and modern premium character. This is why the MINI enjoys a unique position in this competitive environment. The MINI Hardtop 2 Door with its classic body concept, just like the MINI 5 door with its extended functionality, stands for experience-oriented urban mobility in the 21st century. The true MINI feeling is made up of Joie de vivre and openness. And this now also applies to the world of electric mobility. The MINI Cooper SE combines the style of the original with locally emission-free driving fun. In addition, the MINI Convertible complements the brand's unmistakable appearance with a particularly extravagant, youthfully fresh look. The Resolute Edition is available for the MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door, the MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 Door. It is also available in conjunction with the all-electric MINI Cooper SE. Customers can enjoy open-top driving pleasure in exclusive Resolute Edition style in the MINI Cooper S Convertible. Appealing design features and color combinations. The exclusive design and equipment features of the Resolute Edition reinforce the hallmark characteristics of the MINI models and combine them with modern, high-quality design accentuations. The Rebel Green exterior signals pure sportiness – a color that was previously reserved exclusively for the top athlete MINI John Cooper Works. The color is combined with a Pepper White roof finish and Pepper White exterior mirror caps for the MINI Hardtop 2 Door and MINI Hardtop 4 Door. On the MINI Convertible Resolute Edition, the electrically operated soft top and the exterior mirror caps are finished in black. Hallmark design features are finished in exclusive Resolute Bronze. This includes the headlight surrounds, the radiator grille and rear lights, the side scuttles on the front side panels, the handles of the doors and tailgate and, the air intakes in the front apron and the fuel filler cap. The brand logos and model lettering provide an attractive contrast, as do the inner frame of the radiator grille, the tailpipe trim of the exhaust system and the horizontal radiator grille strut in Piano Black. On the MINI Hardtop 2 Door and the MINI Hardtop 4 Door in the Resolute Edition, there is also a black strip running around the lower edge of the windows. Both the bonnet stripes and the door sills of the edition vehicles feature a pattern of parallel lines with a color gradient between a light and a dark shade of gold as well as the lettering "RESOLUTE". The asymmetrical design gives them a particularly high-quality and unconventional look in hallmark MINI style. The sporty appearance of the edition vehicles is completed by 18-inch alloy wheels in Pulse Spoke Black design. The MINI Cooper SE features 17-inch alloy wheels in Electric Collection Spoke design. The exclusive flair of the interior of the edition vehicles is enhanced by sports seats in Black Pearl / Light Chequered fabric/leatherette, which are combined with black armrests and knee rolls. This color scheme is a perfect complement to the Rebel Green paint finish and the black and bronze exterior design features. The Nappa sports leather steering wheel features an edition emblem on the lower spoke, and the roof liner of the MINI Hardtop 2 Door and MINI Hardtop 4 Door models is in anthracite. The interior surfaces created especially for the Resolute Edition emphasize the cars’ premium style. Parallel and evenly curved lines in a light shade of gold form a noble pinstripe pattern on the black background of the surfaces. At the same time, they pick up on the structure of the bonnet stripes. The specific design features are staged with the help of the lighting package, whose LED units provide targeted interior illumination, as well as with the Ambient Light, which also includes a laser-engraved ring for the central instrument, light piping in the doors and cockpit area as well as illuminated door handles and door entry areas. In addition, the MINI Driving Modes are part of the equipment package for the Resolute Edition. The Resolute Edition's exclusive design features make up a carefully crafted package for premium exterior and interior style. They also tie in particularly harmoniously with the clear and purist MINI design language. In the interior, the classic sporty flair of the colors and materials is combined with advanced digital technology. The latest generation of the MINI operating system optimizes the quick and intuitive control of vehicle functions, audio program, communication, navigation, and apps. Live widgets on the 8.8-inch touch display of the central instrument are used to activate the desired menu item, which can be selected with a swiping motion like that on a smartphone. The MINI Untold Edition: Sporty understatement. The MINI Clubman is an exceptional phenomenon in the premium compact segment. Its modern interpretation of the classic shooting-brake concept combines tradition and understatement with progressive and lifestyle-oriented characteristics. The unique body concept with four doors, a particularly long roofline and the split doors at the rear consisting of two side-opening wings not only give the MINI Clubman an extravagant appearance, but also provide a high degree of functionality. Its interior offers seating for five and generous, variable storage volume that can be expanded from 17.5 to up to 47.9 cu ft. The Untold Edition emphasizes the role of the MINI Clubman as the stylish individualist in its class, in what is bold and exclusive appearance. The refined sophistication of its design is combined with a powerful sporty look. The Untold Edition is available for three model variants. The range includes the MINI Cooper S Clubman and MINI Cooper S Clubman All4. In addition, the 301 hp MINI John Cooper Works Clubman as the top performer of the MINI lineup, is available in the Untold Edition. Distinctive body features, stylish interior design. The unmistakable appearance of the MINI Clubman is emphasized by the specific design features of the Untold Edition to give it charismatic presence. The Sage Green metallic paintwork, available for the first time on the MINI Clubman, and the distinctive design of the front and rear aprons inspired by the John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit provide a stylishly sporty look. The hallmark MINI surrounds on the lower body sections are not in black as usual, but in a dark shade of green for the first time. The five narrow, parallel sport stripes running centrally across the bonnet and roof are also specific features of the Untold Edition. The side scuttles, manufactured using a high-quality 3D printing process, have a specific stripe pattern. This exclusive graphic also features in the logo projected from the door mirrors and on the door sill trims. The 18-inch alloy wheels in Untold Spoke design with 2-tone surfaces in the Jet Black/Refined Brass combination have also been developed exclusively for the edition vehicles. The color scheme, which is based on refined brass, is also used for the radiator grille surround and the radiator crossbar on the MINI Cooper S Clubman, and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman models, as well as for the "Clubman" lettering on the split doors at the rear. The Piano Black exterior equipment with door handles, exhaust tailpipes, MINI logos and model lettering in black is an integral part of the Untold Edition. Sports seats in the exclusive MINI Yours Leather Lounge Sage Green version transfer the powerful exterior character to the interior of the edition vehicles. Light-colored seams and piping as well as textile inserts in the upper and outer areas of the seat backrests create a particularly stylish seat surface look. Alternatively, sports seats are also available in the MINI Yours Leather Lounge Carbon Black variant. The cockpit features illuminated accent strips in Sage Green and exclusively designed interior surfaces with a subtle striped pattern and green color scheme. Another stylish visual accentuation are the surrounds of the air vents in Refined Brass. The bottom spoke of the Nappa sports leather steering wheel as well as the floor mats feature an edition emblem. The MINI Clubman in the Untold Edition also offers particularly high-quality equipment in addition to the exclusive design features. Beyond the standard equipment of the premium compact model, it also includes Adaptive LED Headlights, the MINI Excitement Package and the MINI Driving Modes as well as the anthracite-colored roof lining and the Interior Light Package. The MINI Untamed Edition: Ready for adventures beyond the city limits. The biggest model in the MINI range is also the most versatile: The MINI Countryman has established itself in the premium compact segment as a particularly stylish all-rounder. Four doors, a big tailgate, five seats and an exceptionally variable interior with a luggage compartment volume of 17.2-47.4 cu ft. ensure a high degree of practicality. The optional ALL4 all-wheel drive distributes power as required in all weather and road conditions. The MINI Countryman handles everyday urban traffic just as confidently as it does excursions that take it onto unpaved terrain. It also plays a pioneering role on the path to particularly sustainable mobility. The MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 enables locally emission-free driving fun in city traffic and beyond thanks to its plug-in hybrid drive. The character of the explorer and adventurer is emphasized even more intensively with the new Untamed Edition for the MINI Countryman. The exclusive design and equipment features of the edition vehicles highlight the robust look and off-road potential. The Untamed Edition is available for the MINI Cooper S Countryman and the plug-in hybrid MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4. Robust look, exclusive details. Thanks to its exterior design specifically geared towards robust versatility, the MINI Countryman in the Untamed Edition encourages you more than ever to head out into nature and explore completely new roads and paths spontaneously. The exclusive Momentum Grey metallic paintwork gives this MINI Countryman a unique appearance, which is further enhanced by the MINI ALL4 exterior look, featuring specific trim elements also finished in body color. The harmonious color scheme emphasizes the clear design language of the MINI Countryman’s exterior. Both the lower air intake surround including the suggested underride guard, the air curtain inserts in the front apron as well as the side skirts, the reflector inserts and the lower insert in the rear apron are painted in Momentum Grey metallic. And a glance at the MINI brand logos on the bonnet and tailgate reveals that the black lettering and graphic elements of the emblem are also combined with a background in body color. Four diagonal stripes, each in Frozen Bluestone, in the lower area of the doors show that this car is ready to take on any road or path. The 18-inch alloy wheels in Untamed 2-tone design with burnished surfaces have been developed exclusively for the edition vehicles. In addition to the roof and the exterior mirror caps, the roof rails and the headlight housings of the MINI Countryman in the Untamed Edition are also finished in black. The Piano Black Exterior option, which is also included in the equipment range of the edition vehicles, adds further black design features. The surrounds of the radiator grille, headlights, taillights and side scuttles, the door handles, the tailpipe trims, the model lettering and, if equipped accordingly, also the ALL4 emblems on the front side panels. Like the door sills, the side scuttles feature a graphic pattern inspired by a mountain landscape and the "Untamed” inscription. Corresponding lettering is also featured on the rear side windows. In addition to the inlays and the carrier plates of the side scuttles, the E logo on the tailgate of the plug-in hybrid model MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 is also in Frozen Bluestone. Nature-inspired shades of green and blue dominate the interior design for the MINI Countryman in the Untamed Edition. The exclusive Highland Green color is combined with blue and green contrast stitching on the surfaces of the sports seats in the MINI Yours Leather Lounge finish. The illuminated decorative trim in Frozen Bluestone is printed with a landscape pattern analogous to the door sill trims. For the first time, a large-scale graphic serves as a motif in this area of the interior instead of a uniform structure. An additional effect is achieved by the "Untamed" lettering visible in the night design. The accent strips in the cockpit and on the center console are painted in Frozen Blue metallic, the door trim strips in Arctic Silver metallic and the surrounds of the air vents in high-gloss black. In addition, the MINI Countryman edition model features emblems with the "Untamed" lettering on the seats and in the bottom spoke of the Nappa sports leather steering wheel, floor mats with a three-dimensionally embossed landscape pattern in the style of the door sills and decorative trims and an anthracite-colored roof lining. The characteristic graphic of the mountain landscape also adorns the discreet pins in the outer area of the seat backs in a stylized form. The Untamed Edition for the MINI Countryman also includes the Light Package, the MINI Excitement Package and the MINI Driving Modes. Click here for pricing.

MINI Corporate Fleet Program offered at MINI of Alexandria

There's nothing quite like a MINI. Fun, fuel-efficient and backed by one of the industry's best maintenance and warranty programs, the MINI Corporate Fleet Program has the potential to transform your commutes and business trips. Eligible drivers of enrolled corporations get: • 3-years/36,000-miles of Boot to Bonnet No Cost Maintenance, saving you up to $1,428 in service costs. • 24/7 Roadside Assistance for 4 years. • 4-year/50,000-mile MINI New Passenger Car Limited Warranty and a 12-year/unlimited-mileage warranty against rust perforation. • Eligibility for unique motoring rewards with the MINI Platinum VISA® Card • Exclusive incentives, specials, and event invitations extended only to MINI Owners Click here for more information.

Customize the look of your MINI with accessories through MINI of Alexandria

Explore The World Of MINI. Shop All Things MINI, With Lifestyle And Accessories For You And Your MINI. Roof Graphics. Mirror Caps. Steering Wheel Covers. Floor Mats. Accessories: Rack Systems, Exterior, Technology. Click here to Shop Accessory Favorites.

Ad ChoicesAdChoices