Oil Change: A Necessary Routine

One of the biggest reasons for getting an oil change is because as lubricant does what it's supposed to, contaminants happen. As this goes on and they build up, they become what is known as "sludge". This substance will begin to sort of stick to different parts of your vehicle's engine and cause it to not perform as efficiently as it should. In time, that sludge can also be the cause of engine failure.

Neglecting your regular oil change isn't a great idea for the life of your vehicle. If you drive under what's known as "severe conditions", even less so. Though that phrase may put images of racecar drivers and off roaders into your mind: it shouldn't. What that means is driving in stop and go traffic, driving in dirty air or dusty conditions, making short trips, cold weather driving and even towing trailers.

The general recommendation has and probably always will be that you get an oil change once every 5,000 km, or 3,000 miles. Though the recent economic downturn has spurred a slew of articles indicating otherwise to save money, the fact is that your owner's manual is the best source to tell you how often you need a tune up. Even if you don't drive your vehicle, you have to understand that moisture build can contaminate lubricants up. When vehicles aren't in operation long enough to lose that moisture, it can become damaging as well.

Your vehicle's engine is very much like your own heart. The rest of the vehicle needs routine maintenance, but keeping your engine running smoothly is key. If your engine is running a bit hot, this can lead to damage that is expensive to repair. However, when you take care of your engine, using clean oil, this prevents those over-heating episodes from happening. Most technicians recommend that you check your lubricants regularly to make sure that it's still working properly and that it is clean.

Lubricants help keep the engine parts moving very smoothly, which prevents friction from occurring. Over time, an engine that does not have this becomes dry and starts to lose important components. This process generally doesn't happen quickly, but rather slowly often showing signs but not complete failure. The internal mechanisms of the engine release small particles into the lubricant as your car is in use. This is typically caught by a filter and without regular maintenance, these are not removed. Lubricants regulate the temperature, absorbing the heat from the engine and prevents the rest of the vehicle from becoming too hot while in use.

This routine maintenance is a vital part of making sure that your vehicle not only lasts longer, but that it's running in top condition. While you're there, typically not only is the lubricant changed and disposed of, but also the filter. These important facets of car care are what will keep you on the road, extending the life of your car and even in some cases, helping you save money with better fuel economy.