How Important Is A Regular Oil Change

A regular oil change is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure your car runs smoothly, cleanly, and efficiently. Read on to understand how removing waste and replacing with clean fresh oil benefits your vehicle in various different ways.

As oil runs through your engine it helps to lubricate the parts that ensure your vehicle runs efficiently by reducing the wear on moving parts from friction. As oil gets used it picks up particles and grime from inside the engine helping to break it down and reducing it's efficiency and lifetime. While most oil change locations recommend replacing motor oil every three months or three thousand miles it is often not necessary to do it that often, keeping a close eye on the oil change indicator on your dashboard panel is a good way to check oil quality in newer vehicles. If you prefer a more hands on and efficient approach you can also use the dipstick under the hood to check the color of the oil in your engine, if the oil is a rich amber color it is still clean and fresh. If it has a dark grimy shade then it is probably time for an oil change.

Modern synthetic oils degrade less quickly than traditional motor oils and have a longer usage life. This will help keep your engine running smoother, longer, and reduce your long term oil change costs. If you feel able it is quite easy to replace the oil in your vehicle in your own garage or driveway, most car part stores have oil recycling services so the difficulty of disposing of waste oil is no longer the major inconvenience it may have been in the past.

How often you should replace your vehicle's motor oil depends significantly on vehicle use. Highway driving is less intensive than stop-start city driving. Driving off-road or on dusty country roads can help engine dirt build up more quickly, you should check the quality of your oil more regular if you drive in these conditions regularly. Keeping other engine components well maintained will help keep engine dirt buildup low in various areas, fuel injection systems and air intakes are two of the most common areas that dirt and grime builds up inside an engine.

With regular maintenance, when necessary, your engine can stay running efficiently and cleanly, increasing the running life of your vehicle and lowering the chance of unexpected expensive repairs. Oil changes are an essential part of that maintenance whether you do them yourself or take them to an auto-repair location. Ensuring they are completed when needed, you can ensure a smooth ride for a long time to come.