Why Oil Changes Are Important
One of the most important aspects of car care is changing the engine oil. Your car engine is a complex piece of machinery made up of thousands of different moving parts. The oil helps keep them lubricated and prevents the wear and tear to your car’s components which is why oil changes are important.
What does an oil change do?
The primary role of motor oil is to lubricate the insides of your engine to prevent abnormal wear and tear. Without regular oil changes, friction builds up between the engine’s many moving parts. Excessive friction forces the system to work harder than it should, creating excess heat and pressure on the entire engine.
Why Do You Need An Oil Change?
Your motor oil deteriorates over time, which limits its ability to break down the particles that build up in the engine. Oil filters can only hold so much debris. Eventually, those particles will leak into your engine. That combined with the loss of friction that comes with dirty or low levels of oil causes premature engine wear, along with lower performance and fuel efficiency.
Different Types Of Car Oil
Whether you’re getting your oil changed by a mechanic or doing it yourself, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when selecting the type of oil. In some vehicles, you’ll find a sticker under the hood that lists the oil best suited for your engine. Or you can find it in your owner’s manual.
- Synthetic: High-performance vehicles typically require this chemically enhanced oil to last longer, run cleaner, and maintain viscosity.
- Semi-synthetic: This oil features many of the enhanced properties of synthetic oil but at a lower price.
- Conventional: This is the traditional, old-school oil used for decades, and manufacturers recommend it for older cars.
How Often You Should Change Your Oil
There’s a certain time period based on the type of oil your car requires. Even if you don’t drive your car for an extended period, you should still change your oil in these amounts of time.
- Synthetic: Every six months or 6,000 miles
- Semi-synthetic: Every five months or 5,000 miles
- Conventional: Every three months or 3,000 miles
You can check your oil levels without a mechanic if you aren’t sure if you need an oil change or not. Many cars feature dashboard symbols and sensors that alert you when it’s time to change your oil. Most vehicles still have easily accessible dipsticks that allow you to check your oil on your own.
Regular maintenance to your vehicle is important. If your vehicle is not properly taken care, of it can void your factory or Extended Warranty. In the case of a major mechanical failure, most warranty companies will send out a third party inspector to inspect the vehicle and determine whether or not it has been properly maintained.
