A Regular Oil Change Saves Money in The Long Run

The importance of scheduling a regular oil change is easy to underestimate. Like visits to the dentist or changing the batteries in our smoke detectors, we often put oil changes into the same category as these activities: obviously important, but unfortunately rarely of the highest importance. As money gets tight, it's easy to move your scheduled maintenance further and further down the to-do list. We might say to ourselves “oh, maybe at the next paycheck” or “everything seems fine, why spend the money now.” However, for a number of very important reasons, regularly scheduled oil changes and general automobile maintenance cannot and should not be put off too long.

The initial concern regarding putting off regularly scheduled maintenance is fundamentally safety. While we might think of the braking system as the most important safety feature of a modern automobile, you can never underestimate the importance of scheduling general maintenance and oil changes. By maintaining the integrity and performance of your engine, you are guaranteeing that your car will work to the best of it is ability in all regular driving conditions. An engine that is under-performing or due for maintenance is an engine that you cannot count on, which in turn can lead to serious breakdowns and accidents. Oil is the lifeblood of the engine and does a number of things you may not even be aware of, including lubricating the moving parts of the engine, dampening noise, cooling the engine, and keeping it clean.

Beyond safety, regular maintenance can be a great aid when it comes to saving money. While it may seem counterintuitive, relatively inexpensive maintenance can prevent much more expensive repairs down the road. If you do the math, it is easy to see the savings. For example, say you are spending fifty dollars on an oil change four times a year totaling two hundred dollars; add another hundred dollars or so to replace the oil filter, air filter, and wiper blades. This is still such a bargain compared to the thousands of dollars you would spend repairing or replacing a neglected car engine! While you may think you are saving money you are really setting yourself up for a much bigger expense! Oil picks up dirt and metal impurities from your vehicle and filters them out, not only keeping your car safe and avoiding breakdowns, but also causing your car to work more efficiently. An efficiently running car means better gas mileage, which in turn saves you money! Furthermore, by maintaining your car, you are guaranteeing a return on your car's resale value. By being able to show a clear record of regular maintenance, you are demonstrating to potential buyers down the road that you are selling a car in peak condition, which will greatly increase the resale value and more than make up for the expense of these maintenance trips.

By breaking down the costs and expenses of ignoring regularly scheduled maintenance and routine oil change service, the choice is clear. No matter how dire your financial situation may be, you cannot afford to put off your car's regular maintenance. Schedule an oil change today with your local car maintenance expert today.