Oil change: 3 points to consider
No matter what type of vehicle you drive, from the most expensive to the old ramshackle, you need to make sure you get an oil change. However, it may be surprising how many people do not care to provide this service for their vehicle. As a result, they end up damaging or worse, completely ruining your engine. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Find out some things to know about how to replace the lubricant in your vehicle.
Purpose of the lubricant
When driving a car, the engine is what makes everything work. And if it’s not cared for properly, it won’t work well for long. In order for your engine to do its job, it needs lubricant. The lubricant is what helps everything to work properly. There are several parts that have a specific function. During the daily wear and tear of a car, dirt and debris can accumulate. A good, clean lubricant helps move excess particles or debris, allowing the car to run properly. However, when the lubricant ages and becomes dirty, the engine ends up having to work harder to provide the same level of performance.
Profits
Being consistent with your oil change means it will help your vehicle save gas and run much longer. This is because dirty lubricant does nothing for your engine. The purpose of the lubricant is to help clean the dirt. If the lubricant is full of dirt, it cannot clean well the newly introduced contaminants or engine particles that are routinely shed. With an oil change, you will have fresh, clean lubricant to help clean your engine. Parts will run easier and smoother, plus, you won’t burn as much gas since your engine isn’t working overtime. Burning less gas means you save money. Additionally, keeping your vehicle up to date by changing the lubricant can help prevent potential problems that can result in costly repairs, giving you the peace of mind you want.
How often should you do it?
There is much controversy about how often the oil should be changed. People will often follow the “every three months or every three thousand miles” rule. However, more and more car owners are turning away from that and instead following what is recommended in the owner’s manual. That’s because every car is different and has different requirements. Sometimes you can hit 3,000 miles and your lube is still in great shape. Or maybe you haven’t had to drive your car that much, so just because three months go by doesn’t mean you have to change your oil. If you don’t read your owner’s manual, at a minimum, get a new lubricant every 5,000 miles. There are other considerations as well, like whether you live in extreme weather, make a living out of race cars, or live in a rural area with nothing but dirt roads, to name a few.