How Important is a Regular Oil Change?
They always seem to tack on an extra charge that you weren’t expecting. What’s the big deal anyway? If you look in your car’s manual it’ll suggest how often you should get your oil changed, but it won’t let on to the secret as to why. Luckily, getting your oil changed is one of the least expensive auto maintenance services your car needs. Despite it being relatively inexpensive, having your oil changed regularly and on schedule plays a critical role in preserving your vehicle and saving you money.
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Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle.
It keeps the many components of the engine working efficiently, and it helps reduce the accumulation of varnish and carbon from collecting on the engine. As you’re aware, the engine can get very hot from the thousands of small explosions taking place every minute; oil helps pull the heat away from the combustion chamber essentially preventing the engine from blowing up. As oil collects heat, varnish and carbons during the course of protecting and keeping the engine running smoothly, it eventually becomes less like liquid and more like sludge. No matter how good the oil is, eventually it degrades as the additives get used up. That’s when you should have your oil changed.
Conventional Oil or Synthetic Oil
In a nutshell, Synthetic Oil is better for your vehicle. It lasts longer, runs cleaner and helps get more out of your engine. Which also means it’s more expensive, but it’s well worth the extra investment. We highly recommend you never go from Synthetic Oil back to Conventional Oil just to save money.
On the other hand, Conventional Oil has worked great for decades. If your vehicle has conventional oil, and that is what is suggested by the dealer, we suggest you continue using it. It’s how your car was designed. There are some rare cases we may suggest a change but that is on a case by case basis.
What is the deal with the Oil Filter?
The Oil Filter is there to clean the oil and make it last as long as possible, once you hit that 3,000-5,000 miles or 7,000 for some synthetic oils it needs to be replaced. You should always replace the oil filter during the service to get the best performance out of the new oil.
Summary
How often and what kind of oil should be used? It will depend on the type of oil you choose to use, what kind of car, and how often you drive. This is where your owner’s manual will come in handy. The old adage suggests every 3 months or 3,000 miles. The amount of mileage you drive is more important than the amount of time. You may go on a road trip and burn through a few thousand miles in a few weeks, or it may take five months before you reach the recommended mileage. Pay attention to the odometer and how you’ve been driving your vehicle. Driving in extreme weather or towing a lot of weight behind your car will affect your oil too.
If you don’t think you have the time or money to get your oil changed and you choose to wait, eventually the oil will get worse and worse, becoming more like sludge and clog your engine. Engines are expensive to clean, and replacing a worn-out piston is not an auto repair bill you want to receive. Bottom line: It’s worth the time and minimal cost of maintenance.
If you’re due for an Oil Service or have any questions, give us a call today we are happy to help!