Regular oil changes are vital to the health and longevity of your car’s engine. Skipping them could cost you a pretty penny in engine repairs and leave you stuck by the roadside! Let’s find out why.
Engine Oil Maintenance
Regular oil and filter changes keep the engine clean and lubricated, preventing premature wear and overheating. High-quality synthetic oils come with a higher price tag; however, they provide superior protection and lubrication compared to conventional oils. They break down less frequently and can better handle extreme temperatures, allowing your car to run smoothly during those frigid winter and scorching summer months. They also enhance engine efficiency, resulting in better gas mileage.
Full synthetic oil is not compatible with all engines, so always follow the manufacturer’s oil recommendations for type and grade. Using the wrong oil for your vehicle can lead to leaks, overheating, poor mileage, and damage. Regularly monitoring your oil level and promptly topping it off when it’s low can help prevent engine damage. If it’s consistently low, this could indicate an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
Oil Change Frequency
The belief that you should always get an oil change every 3 months or 3,000 miles is outdated. Thanks to modern advancements in both engines and synthetic oil, newer engines use oil more efficiently, so it generally only needs to be changed every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
Newer vehicles are typically equipped with built-in service reminders, which let you know when your car is due for an oil change. Certain driving habits and conditions can affect this, so always follow your manufacturer’s recommendation based on the engine design, driving habits, and oil type.
Consequences of Missing Oil Changes
What happens if you skip oil changes? Engine oil breaks down and becomes contaminated over time, which means it’s no longer providing the necessary lubrication for the engine’s working parts. This causes increased friction and sludge accumulation, which accelerates engine wear and can cause it to overheat. Metal surfaces also become exposed, leading to rust and corrosion. Several of the engine’s components become damaged, which are costly to replace.
Skipping oil changes can ultimately lead to total engine failure, which is extremely costly to repair. Sometimes that even means replacing the entire engine. It can also void certain warranties.
Car Engine Care
Aside from regular oil changes, it’s also important to replace dirty air filters, which help keep debris from entering the engine and causing wear. Regularly check coolant levels and add coolant if it’s low to avoid overheating the engine. Check the timing belt and drive belts to ensure they aren’t worn or cracked and have those replaced as needed. Getting a tune-up at the mileage intervals recommended by your manufacturer is also a good idea.
A well-maintained engine keeps you on the road and saves you from costly repairs! Check out our Preventive Maintenance Program and let us catch any problems before they get out of hand. We’ll also keep you up to date on the needs of your vehicle. Get manufacturer-recommended maintenance reminders via email, and coupons to save you money!