Is that oil change required? Or am I being taken advantage of? This guide will let you know when you need an oil change and how it benefits your car.
If you drive your car less often, did you know you may need to change your oil more often? When was the last time you had your oil changed?
An oil change is something that every car needs, so as a car owner, you need to know what it’s all about!
When is an oil change required and what is the importance of having it done?
If you need an answer to these questions, keep reading to find out what you should know about your car in the future.
When is an Oil Change Required?
Motor oil wears out when all of its additives are gone and have been depleted. The additives in motor oil include anti-wear agents, which react with the metal to form a barrier of protection. You’ll also find detergent dispersants and oxidation/rust inhibitors in these additives, which stop grime and contaminants.
Your car needs these things to have the best operating conditions and car health.
Because of the importance of motor oil, you need to know how often you need to get your oil changed for your specific vehicle. Some car owners change their oil every 3,000 miles, but not everyone does that.
The best way to tell how often your car will need to have an oil change is to check your owner’s manual. This will give you the manufacturer’s instructions for a maintenance schedule to follow.
A lot of automakers will recommend that oil changes occur somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 miles, but it does depend on the model.
You’ll also notice that you may see two different oil change timelines listed because one will be for normal use and the other for severe use. This references how often you use the vehicle and how you are using the vehicle, so keep that in mind.
Reasons to Get an Oil Change
Now that you are more aware of how often you need an oil change, you probably want to know why they are even necessary in the first place. Like we mentioned earlier, motor oil is important to the overall function of the vehicle.
Here are some of the things that an oil change can do for your car’s health:
Cooling Engine Components
Maintaining clean oil in the proper amounts will prevent too much friction. The moving parts within the engine will generate heat and over-heating is a concern if you don’t have your oil changed regularly.
Remove Engine Sludge and Wear Particles
Dirt and contaminants can be lethal to engines. These things can cause your engine to corrode and make the life of the engine much shorter.
Oil can break down and turn to sludge when it gets old, which is going to make your engine very dirty. Keeping your engine dirty should be one of the most important things to you if you are trying to take care of your vehicle.
Oil changes and filter changes will remove the dirt and excess particles to keep your engine in tip-top shape.
Maintain Engine Lubrication
Your engine has to be lubricated, as well as clean, to maintain proper function.
If you think of all of the moving parts in an engine (valves, pistons, etc.) moving at high speeds under your vehicle. All of the heat and friction created can wear your engine down if there is no lubrication.
Promotes Longer Vehicle Life
Your vehicle is going to last a lot longer with regular maintenance and getting routine oil changes is part of that.
Without proper maintenance, your vehicle has to work a lot harder to do the things that it needs to do. Constantly pushing so hard makes everything wear down faster.
It’s important to note that your car will also be worth more if you maintain it and keep it in good shape before you sell it, so do your future self a favor!
Better Gas Mileage
When your engine is not lubricated properly, you will use more fuel.
If you want to get at least a 1-2% gas mileage increase, keep your engine lubricated with clean motor oil. This will save you money in the long run.
What Happens if You Skip an Oil Change?
When you skip your oil changes, your vehicle is going to have several issues. More specifically, your engine will not work as it is intended.
The most common issue that you’ll see is that your engine is going to become too hot from friction. If you don’t get an oil change when you need one, your Chevy Camaro may end up being worse for wear and your engine may be irrevocably damaged.
Your engine components will eventually wear out and warp due to the heat. Eventually, your entire engine is going to shut down and need to be replaced.
This can cost a lot of money. Some people prefer to just scrap the car for parts and move onto a new one, but this is a huge hassle!
It’s better to just get your oil changes as needed or you’ll pay in the long run.
Don’t Forget Regular Vehicle Maintenance
When an oil change is required, you want to get it done as soon as possible. Keep your routine maintenance schedule up and your vehicle will thank you for it.
Keeping your engine lubricated, clean, and in good condition is important. Getting proper oil changes helps that happen and more!
If you’re interested in learning more about cars and getting some additional tips as a car owner, check out the rest of our website to get some more help!