All You Need To Know About An Oil Change

Oil changes will be one of the most common car maintenance tasks you
will provide for your vehicle throughout its lifetime. It is one of many
important fluids that maintain your engine, the heart of your car. If
not properly maintained, engine repairs can make it nearly impossible to
save a good car. Why is the oil so important to the engine? What does
it do that keeps your car running?

Oil is a lubricating agent for the working parts of your engine. Whether
you have a standard shift transmission or an automatic transmission,
the oil helps minimize metal to metal scratching, creating harmful
friction to the working parts. Friction generates heat, causing a series
of problems that will eventually shut your engine down. By properly
lubricating the system with oil, you help maintain an appropriate
temperature and keep parts from damaging each other.

When you look at the engine under the hood, you will notice a metallic
film all over every working part. This is the oil that has been
distributed for proper lubrication. The oil however, needs to be
periodically replaced not only for level but also for quality. Overtime,
the oil wears away from the engine parts and more oil is then
distributed to replace it. An oil change ensures that there is always
enough oil for your car to draw upon to maintain the engine.

Oil may also burn or pick up residue from the engine. If the oil quality
has been compromised, the slick lubrication becomes sticky and gunk
build up causes working parts to malfunction. Oil changes also make sure
that this doesn’t happen, by providing new oil that is in excellent
condition.

The important part about oil changes is that they are done regularly.
You may choose to rely on the sticker your mechanic puts on the upper
left hand corner of your windshield or you can periodically check the
quality of oil every couple thousand miles. Never drive your car too
many miles over the limit and never neglect the level and quality of
your oil, otherwise you will put unnecessary strain on the engine
causing necessary repairs or complete replacement.

To make sure you’re getting the most out of each change is to make sure
that you’re getting a high quality oil in your tank so that it lasts as
long as it should. Some car makes and models may require a certain grade
of oil, so in the very least make sure your car has what is
appropriate. You can also save money by learning how to change oil
yourself as frequently as you see fit, but it requires some time and
training to do it right. Otherwise, the cost of an oil change is pretty
minor, ranging from $20-$60 maximum.



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Working Parts, Make Sure