September 11 2023,
Modern vehicles are built around highly reliable engineering, but they still need careful maintenance to keep them running at their best. Regular oil changes are important components of an effective maintenance routine, because without good-quality oil to lubricate the engine, its performance will suffer and wear and tear will increase significantly. Below, learn more about why keeping on top of scheduled oil changes is so important for the health of your car.
What Does Oil Do for an Engine?
For such a simple and inexpensive automotive component, oil plays a wide variety of important roles that make sure your vehicle runs smoothly.
1) Lubrication
Any engine contains a large number of moving parts, many of them in constant contact with each other. As the engine works, these parts rub together, causing friction, which builds up excessive heat and grinds down the surfaces of the components. Oil provides essential lubrication to keep the engine from overheating and reduce wear and tear.
2) Cleanliness
As you drive, the dusty air entering the engine's air ducts will slowly but surely create a coat of dirt. As oil is pumped around the engine, it picks up and removes particles and grime, helping to keep your engine clean.
3) Efficiency and Performance
A cleaner engine that's running with less friction and heat shows better performance, provides better fuel efficiency, and also reduces the need for expensive repairs and replacements of worn components. All of which depend on clean oil to work correctly. As the oil ages and becomes dirtier and thicker, its protective ability is lowered, so regularly scheduled changes are essential to keeping it fresh and performing at its best.
When Should You Change the Oil?
Although it's clear that oil changes are extremely important, how do you know when it's time to schedule an oil change service? Start by checking your vehicle owner’s manual, which will specify how long you can safely drive before an oil and filter change is recommended. The details will vary from vehicle to vehicle, but typical limits are every 8,000-12,000 km of driving or every six months. However, there are a few other factors that can also influence your schedule.
First, if your usual driving involves lots of shorter journeys with plenty of stops and starts, the oil needs to work harder to protect your engine and will likely need an earlier change. Also, modern synthetic oils can last for much longer than traditional formulas, so make sure you know which kind of oil you're using and which kind the manual's servicing schedule is based on. Finally, while older vehicles rely mainly on the owner remembering to schedule an oil change, newer models include technology that actively monitors oil quality and gives an alert when a change is required. If you get one of these warnings, it's sensible to schedule a service as soon as possible rather than waiting for the maximum mileage to be reached.
Book an Oil Change Today!
An oil change is a quick and easy task for any experienced auto mechanic, so considering the essential role that oil plays in your vehicle, it's only good sense to keep on top of this routine maintenance job. To book a fast and efficient oil change with one of our service experts, visit your local Dilawri franchised dealership's Service Centre today!
