subject: The Importance Of Regular Oil Changes [print this page] Have you ever had the misfortune of driving your car and hearing a noise rattling under the hood? The check oil light has been on for a couple of weeks and you know you are over your oil change mileage but there just hasn't been time. Unfortunately, you should have made some time. That noise rattling under the hood that sounds like marbles could be the remnants of what is left of the oil in your engine block. Uh oh - it is a sure sign that you haven't been getting your oil checked and changed frequently enough. When is it appropriate for the changes?
Regular Oil Changes are Important for Several Reasons
The standard for getting the oil changed in a vehicle is 3 months or 3,000 miles. There are some types of engines or service trucks that go longer, but for the most part the average person driving is supposed to only go 3,000 miles. This is important for a couple of reasons, and making the service station a lot of money is not one of them!
Getting the oil changed frequently will keep the engine slime and dirt from getting and staying in the engine. The cleaner the oil is moving through your engine, the cleaner the engine will remain for the long run. Cleaner engines run better, just ask anyone. And the point of having a vehicle is so that it runs a long time, right?
Oil that is checked and changed frequently has less chance of getting too low. When the oil goes over the mile marker and used while it is older, it burns up faster. The less oil in the engine, the less lubrication there will be. Less lubrication can add wear to the vehicle and make it malfunction or even overheat. Going a few hundred miles over the change mark is not worth having a $400 repair bill because the engine got damaged as you pushed it too far.
The Debate Over When to Get an Oil Change
Almost every place where you have your vehicle serviced will put a tag on your windshield or your door and say when the next oil change will be. It will most likely be a date three months from the current date and 3,000 miles on the odometer in the future. The oil companies want you to change your oil that frequently and the service station does obviously, but is it a requirement?
Some auto experts and ASE mechanics claim that if you buy the really good oil and drive mainly highways miles, then you can allow your car to go slightly over the 3,000 mile mark. This could mean 500 - 1,000 miles over, not the 5 or 8,000 miles you might be thinking. The oil will only last for a certain amount of time before it gums up and balls form, sounding like marbles in the engine. When you do plan to go over the mile allotment, make sure to check the oil level frequently so that it hasn't leaked and your engine will still run smoothly. Check with your mechanic or someone you trust in order to get an accurate opinion on how often your oil should be changed.
