Enhance Your Knowledge About the Common Oil Change

Everyone has heard that they need to get an oil change every time their odometer rolls off another 3,000 miles, but if that's all you know about the procedure, you could be missing out on why it's so important. Unfortunately, when drivers don't understand the importance of this simple bit of maintenance, they find it easier to slack off. While there are some disputes as to how frequently the maintenance is needed, the fact that it is needed in regular intervals is not up for debate. Here are some things you may not know and how they can help you be a better car owner.

The Life Blood

While it may be gasoline that gets your car moving, it is the motor oil that keeps it moving. It is the lubrication that prevents your engine from overheating, wearing down, and growing filthy. Without a regular oil change, however, it can do the opposite. Instead of acting as a lubricant and a cleaner, it turns to a sludgy kind of mixture that can create heat, stop pistons in their tracks, and cause problems to the engine that won't be solved for $20 at your local lube job establishment.

Frequency

There are a couple of factors that will play a role in determining how often you should get an oil change. Older cars with a lot of miles on them may require more frequent attention than newer ones. Once a car reaches a certain age, they begin to burn off more of the lubricant, meaning you should be checking your levels every so often. One glance at the dipstick every two times you fill your tank up with gas should be sufficient to make sure you don't fall below appropriate levels. Your usage will also play a role. Those who do a lot of open highway driving will likely be able to extend their mileage more than those who are constantly in the throng of downtown traffic.

Specificity

It's important that you give your car the specific flavor of motor oil it requires for optimum efficiency. You wouldn't randomly choose between unleaded gasoline and diesel every time you fill up, but many people take this kind of approach to getting an oil change. Your best bet is to look in your owner's manual and determine what you need based on what the manufacturer recommends. Talk to your mechanic and see if he has a suggestion as well. Don't just assume that whatever the shop offers as their basic plan will be the right purchase for your vehicle.