Oil Change - Extending the Life of the Engine

Every driver has seen a vehicle cruise down the road spewing blackish
exhaust and sharing an occasional backfire: that engine is whipped and
an environmental hazard to all! If proper maintenance had been
administered to that poor vehicle, an oil change done every 3-5,000
miles, the engine life of that car could have been prolonged for years
to come, possibly destined to become a “classic” in someone’s garage.

Under perfect circumstances a car or truck can go 6-7,500 miles between
oil changes, but very few drivers maintain and operate their vehicles
under “optimal circumstances”. The standard automobile is in need of an
oil change every 3-6 months or every 3-5,000 miles at the longest
without the risk of damage occurring to the bearing, journal or cylinder
wall surfaces of the engine. Most owners view fluid maintenance for
their vehicles as an afterthought, something that can be put off until a
time that is convenient to take the car in for service. The reality is
the oil filter’s job is to remove contaminates: dirt, carbon, metal
particles, and other foreign matter from the oil before damage is done
to the engine, so regular oil and filter replacement is of vital
importance.

The cost of an oil service check can range from $20-$50 (on average)
depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle; a high end foreign
make may be on the higher end, and a flex fuel or electric car may
require a special filter which may push the cost up, as well. In years
past, gas fueled cars could go as long as 6-7,500 miles between oil
changes before the risk of engine damage became a concern to the driver.
Diesel and turbo charged cars and trucks were the type that required an
oil change around 3,000 miles, due to their particular engine needs.
But today’s cars are designed to be lighter and more fuel efficient,
which comes with the new 'full-flow filtration' system: the oil pump
sends all the oil through the filter before it enters the crankshaft
bearing, cam bearing and valve train, ensuring only filtered oil enters
the engine. These filters are smaller and lighter, and the need to
perform an oil change on schedule is absolutely necessary. Newer cars
and trucks have a light that comes on (and remains on) when service is
needed. The service should include the oil, a new oil filter,
lubrication of chassis components and some businesses will also check:
transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid,
antifreeze and/or coolant, tire pressure, air filter, Serpentine Belt,
wiper blades and the vehicles lights.

An oil change is more than just maintaining the vehicle’s performance
and amount of fuel consumed per mile, it is an insurance policy on the
longevity of the engine life of the car or truck. If the fluids and
lubricants are neglected, the engine can suffer damage, performance
declines and eventually the engine will seize up, and the entire engine
will need to be replaced or repaired; either way an enormous expense the
driver could have avoided with proper maintenance.