Oil Change - Extending the Life of the Engine

Every driver has seen a vehicle cruise down the road spewing blackish exhaust and sharing an occasional backfire: that engine is whipped and an environmental hazard to all! If proper maintenance had been administered to that poor vehicle, an oil change done every 3-5,000 miles, the engine life of that car could have been prolonged for years to come, possibly destined to become a “classic” in someone’s garage.

Under perfect circumstances a car or truck can go 6-7,500 miles between oil changes, but very few drivers maintain and operate their vehicles under “optimal circumstances”. The standard automobile is in need of an oil change every 3-6 months or every 3-5,000 miles at the longest without the risk of damage occurring to the bearing, journal or cylinder wall surfaces of the engine. Most owners view fluid maintenance for their vehicles as an afterthought, something that can be put off until a time that is convenient to take the car in for service. The reality is the oil filter’s job is to remove contaminates: dirt, carbon, metal particles, and other foreign matter from the oil before damage is done to the engine, so regular oil and filter replacement is of vital importance.

The cost of an oil service check can range from $20-$50 (on average) depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle; a high end foreign make may be on the higher end, and a flex fuel or electric car may require a special filter which may push the cost up, as well. In years past, gas fueled cars could go as long as 6-7,500 miles between oil changes before the risk of engine damage became a concern to the driver. Diesel and turbo charged cars and trucks were the type that required an oil change around 3,000 miles, due to their particular engine needs. But today’s cars are designed to be lighter and more fuel efficient, which comes with the new 'full-flow filtration' system: the oil pump sends all the oil through the filter before it enters the crankshaft bearing, cam bearing and valve train, ensuring only filtered oil enters the engine. These filters are smaller and lighter, and the need to perform an oil change on schedule is absolutely necessary. Newer cars and trucks have a light that comes on (and remains on) when service is needed. The service should include the oil, a new oil filter, lubrication of chassis components and some businesses will also check: transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze and/or coolant, tire pressure, air filter, Serpentine Belt, wiper blades and the vehicles lights.

An oil change is more than just maintaining the vehicle’s performance and amount of fuel consumed per mile, it is an insurance policy on the longevity of the engine life of the car or truck. If the fluids and lubricants are neglected, the engine can suffer damage, performance declines and eventually the engine will seize up, and the entire engine will need to be replaced or repaired; either way an enormous expense the driver could have avoided with proper maintenance.