Why Changing Your Oil Regularly Is So Important!

Doesn’t it seem like oil changes are always on your to-do list? What’s the big deal with getting it changed every 3000 miles? It may seem like you just changed your oil, and that 3000 miles isn’t nearly enough to warrant changing it again. The truth is that it really is.

Oil is one of the most critical fluids in your automobile. The reason that it needs changing so frequently is because of the amount of work that it does, and because of how crucial clean oil is to engine life.
Engines have dozens and dozens of moving metal parts, and oil provides a protective layer that significantly reduces friction and heat. When the oil level decreases, more pieces are rubbing together without that barrier of protection, much more heat is produced, and the metal in the engine can warp or even melt.

There are two main reasons that your oil level decreases and that you need to change it every 3000 miles. The first reason is because of leaks. Your engine is a complex collection of tubes and filters and ducts and sometimes the seals between them break down. You’ll sometimes notice that this is happening by the stains on your garage floor.

The other reason is that your oil breaks down over time. Just like when you heat up cooking oil in a deep fryer a few times it begins to smoke and smell and become rancid, engine oil can only be heated so many times before it begins to break down. As your oil breaks down it starts to turn into a thick sludge, which means that the protection your oil once provided the parts in your engine is significantly diminished. When this happens, and your engine begins to break and warp and melt, you trade a 30-minute, inexpensive oil change with a possible week-long, $4000 engine repair/replacement.

The only real secret to preventing a frustrating, expensive replacement is to change your oil at regular intervals at a facility that employs ASE-Certified Technicians.

Getting your oil changed regularly ensures that you are one simple, inexpensive step towards prolonging the life of your car.