Facts / Why University Kia’s Service Department is Different

All Oil Changes are Not Created Equal

When you make a service appointment at University Kia most people find quickly this Service Department is literally one of the busiest and most popular in Texas. A lot of great things have come out of Waco Texas, but honestly and really - why is the Service Department at University Kia always so packed?

After reading this you may never look at oil changes or service departments ever the same. In this article we will do our best to explain what University factually does differently when they service your vehicle.

As you read this you will hear about of many of the critical extra things University does for you that are important. Before moving forward one thing we do want you to keep in mind; just because University is one of the few top tier nationally ranked, award winning, service departments in Texas, does not mean we charge you more for all of that experience.

We believe that an important part of great service is being competitive and fair. Compare and shop our pricing - unlike most dealerships University Kia does not charge more. The honest fact is many customers find they actually save by having their work done at University.

Specifics Matter

Being honest and having values is important to us, but it is our actions that show our customers what we are sincerely all about. Specifics matter. We thought a good way to explain how we do things differently would be to demonstrate the differences in how we do a simple Oil Change.

When customers find out during a typical service that University Kia technicians do about five times more work, in several added key areas compared to quick lube places, it makes them wonder what normal service departments are leaving out?

All Oil Changes are Not Created Equal

It is not marketing. One critical reason for the additional services University includes are based on advancements in science and automotive engineering. Even if it takes longer, and cost us more, we just cannot bring ourselves to cut corners for our customers. We know better so we do better.

There have been some stunning advancements in motor oil and filter technology that make a huge difference for you as a consumer. These have a real impact on the actual performance and life of your car. We will save the chemistry and engineering facts for the end. But for those of you who want it in a nutshell, here are the specific key advantages a University Service offers you over ordinary oil changes.

Normal Oil Change & Service

1. The drain plug is pulled by a minimum wage employee with little training.
2. Cheap bulk oil, or synthetic is used, along with the cheapest oil filter they can find.
3. Afterwards a quick “inspection” is done where they look for things they can sell you.

University Kia Difference / Oil Change & Service

1. Who Works on Your Car? – At University you will find factory certified technicians that have extensive training and experience. What most of them know is comparable to a college degree plus. They are trained in mechanics, engineering, use of specialized tools, computer and software management, and more. Because of their special training and experience when they inspect your car, they see important things that other service centers miss. They regularly catch problems and fix them early before they become expensive problems for you later. They are truly impressive, which is exactly the kind of person you want working on your car.
2. Oil / Special Next Generation Synthetic - If you needed a blood transfusion would you want the cheapest, or would you want the latest super blood that actually made your body work better, and helped you live longer? The special synthetic oil University uses is not a normal synthetic. It cost University more to use but literally benefits your car in almost too many areas to list. In fact is there is a whole section below that explains the science and dramatic the benefits of the special synthetic we use in your car.
3. Super Filter - Hold a University oil filter in one hand and an ordinary filter in the other. You can literally feel the University oil filter is much heavier. It is so because of it’s extra capacity to filter. It cost University more to use these specially engineered filters, but this is a filter that does not just filter your oil, but purifies it. In fact there is a whole section below that explains the science or how dramatic the benefits are for your car.
4. Long Life Inspection – Ask your University Service Advisor for a list of everything that we inspect on your car during an oil changes. Compare University’s expansive inspection to BMW, or Mercedes Benz; you will notice the attention to detail is almost identical. The goal at University is to service your car to a standard that may help it run a quarter of a million miles. Most of the checking we do cost University extra time and money, but you leave with the piece of mind knowing nothing was missed, and things were done right. Who takes off each wheel to see critical areas underneath that others dealerships never see? This is just one of the many extra things University does for you.
5. Software Updates – You don’t even need to ask. When you bring your Kia in to University we upgrade your cars software with any and all Factory upgrades, and we do this at no charge to you. Most oil change places don’t have the correct computers, software, or equipment, but University does.
6. Check ALL Fluids – As part of the extensive inspection process we check all of the cars vitals, and fluid levels. If your car is low we replace what it needs at no charge to you. Radiator coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc. It isn’t a fluid but we even make sure your tire pressure is optimal. When it comes to important details University has you covered.
7. Recall Upgrades – You don’t even need to ask, if there is a recall on your Kia we let you know, and we fix it for you. No quick lube place can to that.
8. Tire Rotation – Because our inspections were so extensive, and we took off the wheels to get a better look at things, we figured we should also give you the benefit of rotating your tires. This gives you better tire ware. It saves you money because it helps your tires last longer, and better tires make for a safer car.
9. Curtesy Car Wash – As a little extra when your car is in for service we will always ask if you would like it washed. That way your car’s outside feels better like the inside does.
10. Equipment, Special Tools, & Computers – People forget if you don’t have the best tools, it makes it harder to get the best results. You would be surprised at how many service departments don’t really have what it takes to take on all jobs. Many times, not only are their people not trained, but even if they were, they don’t have the correct tools, or equipment to get things done right. At University Kia we are equipped with the most technologically advanced everything. Because of this we have all the special tools and equipment we need to take care of just about any challenge that you might be facing. Even if you are in for an oil service, if one of our technicians see something suspicious, within minutes they can hook your car up for an advanced diagnoses that most other places just are not equipped to do, at anywhere near the same level.

Science, Engineering, & Chemistry

As you read below keep in mind so long as you have your service done at University you don’t have to worry about any of the science or chemistry - University does that for you. But if you don’t have your oil changed at University read this very carefully.

It wouldn’t be right for us to use anything in our customer’s cars we would not want to use in our own cars. While it is expensive for us, we can honestly tell you, we ardently feel the special synthetic we use is absolutely the best, and gives your car real measurable scientifically based advantages.

It literally is the purest synthetic, refined using the most advanced processes, designed to use 10,000 miles between oil changes. It is factory approved premium synthetic motor oil formulated specifically for your car, exceeding ACEA A3 / A5 and all factory standards. In fact it exceeds all factory BMW, and Mercedes Benz factory standards too. Extensive testing has shown it exceeds other premium motor oils in (1) performance, (2) protection, (3) cleanliness, and (4) power. It was engineered by Mobile chemical petroleum engineers to be the best, and the best is exactly what our customer deserve.

Why we do not use other motor oils:

To begin with why do most dealerships and quick lube places use poorer grade, and less technologically advanced synthetic oils, when petroleum technology has advance so much? Because it is cheaper, and customers never know the difference. The only problem is oil is like the life blood of your car. Put the wrong type in, and it can cause real trouble, expensive trouble. Even brand new fresh motor oil can damage your car if it is not the right kind.

Service departments can use synthetics that sound ok because the motor weight rating (Like SAE 15w-40) is the same, but that does not mean they match the factory rating, or needs of your car’s design and motor. It is a fact, with use, even the weight rating degrades in most oils, and just as importantly research has shown the additives in most synthetics and oils start breaking down after only 1500 mile. Many of oils are not good past 3000 miles because of cheap chemistry, lower grade base oils used, and the cheaper methods of refinement used to make them.

Impurities

Oil is a natural product pumped from the ground. The cheaper the grade of oil the more the impurities. Impurities, like sulfur, cause more wear and tear on a motor and impacts operations.

Under the right circumstances, such as heavy loads, or extreme Texas temperatures, the wrong oils can turn to sludge. Cheaper lubricants can (1) inadequately lubricated parts, meaning parts will wear out and need to replacing faster, (2) hurt your fuel economy, (3) leak oil into the pistons or compression chamber which increases blow-by (4) clog your PCV (blue smoke) and (5) hurt both your long term and short term, power and performance.

Engineered Standards have Serious Reasons Behind Them

In the engineering world it is no secret. Just like BMW or Mercedes Benz, the engineering of Kia engines has become very exacting, and world class. Like some of the most expensive cars in the world Kia engineers have designed their motors to match very specific higher preforming synthetic motor oils, with specific additive packages. Many service departments will tell you yes, “the oil we use is correct for your Kia”, but the person telling you that seldom takes the time to look at all the requirements, and most don’t understands the chemistry behind the standards anyway. At University we do.

Complicated Chemistry & Standards / University Makes it Easy

As we talked about the chemistry of motor oil production is complicated because different motors have different requirements. (1) What rating does your motor need API, JSO, S, SH, SJ, SL, C, CI-4 Plus, CF, CG, CH, CI, MA, or MB? (2) What additives are required? Additive packages contain several different chemicals with several different purposes. There are special detergents, dispersants, buffers solvents, diesters, emergency lubricants, viscosity Index improvers, corrosion inhibitors, and antioxidants, to name but a few. (3) How was your oil refined? Did they use Hydrolsomerization process which offers the cleanest oil, or did they use the more common processes that leave at least some impurities, or a lot of impurities. (4) Was your quick lube oil engineered with the right high viscosity index, thermal stability, oxidation stability rating, pour point, demulsibility, flash point, fire point? Does it lessen wear and tear, effectively reduce friction, remove heat, prevent rust and corrosion, removing contaminants and have the correct shear rate? The synthetic oil we use at University does!

Oil Filter Technology

You have learned there are massive differences in types and quality of motor oil. Oil filters are just the same. While they cost more, we use only Kia factory oil filters specifically because of the advantages of their design. Kia filter’s claim to fame is they do not just filter your oil, but purify it.

As we said earlier hold a Kia oil filter in one hand and then an ordinary oil filter in the other. You can feel the weight difference because there is so much more filtering technology designed into the Kia oil filter.

Most filters only provided average performance because of how their media operates. There are several types of filtration mechanisms, including, Direct Interception and Depth Entrapment, Adsorption, Inertial Impaction, Brownian Movement, Gravitation Effects, Surface Retention, and Depth Retention. There are several types of filtering material: Cellulose, Fiberglass (Synthetic), Composite - and Magnetic. Kia has studied all of these and designed an oil filter that is designed specifically to work with your motor in ways no other filter can, or does. Everything from the pressure, filtering level, and flow level has been carefully matched to your motor. In this case University Kia has done all the research for you.

Wrapping It Up

We wanted to provide you with factual information so that you can truly see our commitment to excellence, which is grounded in solid scientific principles and engineering practices. While it's true that delivering quality and ensuring things are done correctly sometimes requires additional time, the end result is well worth the wait for the majority of people. Despite the fact that our range of services surpasses that of most quick lube establishments, we still keep our prices competitive. This is an undeniable fact.

At University Kia, we have an unwavering dedication to treating our customers as if they were our own family. Embracing this high standard has led to the remarkable success of University Kia's Service department, which remains one of the busiest in Texas. If you value honesty, expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and appreciate the fact that investing a little extra time yields superior results, then University Kia's Service department could be the perfect place for you.