Don't Neglect Your Oil Change

It may be tempting to save a few bucks and skip an oil change or two when it comes to budgeting finances in our current economic crisis. Many people find it hard enough to fill up the tank let alone spend money on suggested or recommended maintenance items while driving their vehicle to and from work every day. Some websites and automotive experts claim that you don't necessarily need to get an oil change every 3,000 miles as the auto garages would have you believe. Most newer model vehicles can go 5,000 or even 10,000 miles before needing their fluid swapped out and this number gets even bigger if you are using synthetic oil or are doing mostly highway driving.

However, spacing out your oil change a little less frequently does not mean you should skip it all together or neglect to perform this very important maintenance task on a regular basis. The more you drive your car, the more important it is to stay on top of regular maintenance tasks such as this in order to ensure the longevity of your vehicle and to cut down on costly repairs.

In order to underline the importance of the oil change, it may be helpful to review exactly what oil is and what it does in your engine. Oil is the lubricant that keeps the engine running smoothly and protects it from the heat of parts rubbing against each other. There is a lot of friction and heat required within an engine in order to power a vehicle and oil takes the brunt of the battle by absorbing heat and debris that builds up.

If you fail to change this lubricant on a regular basis, the oil can turn to sludge and sludge will start to clog the filter. Once the filter becomes clogged, it can no longer do a good job at protecting the engine from debris and contaminants. Passages that are filled with debris and contaminants become clogged and eventually cause the pressure to drop which increases engine friction to a dangerous level.

When you perform a regularly scheduled oil change, you can ensure that your vehicle is freshly lubricated and install a new filter for engine protection. This helps your engine to age more slowly, but keeps it running fast. In the extreme situation where oil completely runs out or is thoroughly contaminated, the engine can actually seize up - a dramatic ending that usually requires replacement with an entirely new engine or a new vehicle. Take the time to care for your vehicle and it will take care of you. Don't neglect this important maintenance task.