Understanding the Importance of Regular Oil Changes

Just as our bodies require regular care to stay healthy, so do our cars. Even after knowing so, the most overlooked aspect of car maintenance is a regular oil change. This simple task ensures that your vehicle runs smoothly and lasts for years.

In this piece, we will guide you in conducting oil changes and also help you understand how auto mechanic Adelaide can help you. Besides this, we will also see how a fresh bottle of lubricant keeps your engine happy. 

By understanding the overall importance of oil change, you can make an important decision about your car’s maintenance. So join us as we dive deeper into this piece. 

What is an Oil Change in Cars? 

An oil change is a routine maintenance service of your car engine. It removes the old used lubricant and replaces it with new oil. Often, during this process, the car repair service changes the oil filter at the same time.

Engine oil plays a vital role in keeping your car running smoothly. It acts as a lubricant to reduce the friction of many moving parts in the engine. This friction can cause heating and damage to engine parts. Besides these, the lubricant also helps keep the engine clean by trapping dirt and grime. 

Over time, engine oil deteriorates and becomes less effective in its work. You must visit a mechanic shop and get an oil change. If you are still unconvinced, let’s talk more about it. 

Why is it Essential to Change the Oil Regularly?

Regularly changing your car’s oil is essential to maintaining its overall health and performance for several reasons: 

• Reduced Friction and Wear

Engine oil acts as a lubricant, which reduces the friction of many moving parts in the engine. In this case, the new oil is more effective in preventing excessive wear and tear that can lead to expensive repairs.

• Improved Engine Performance

The importance of oil changes is understood when the oil is full of debris. When the grease is impure, it is less lubricated, which leads to poor engine performance. To combat the engine’s speed and efficiency, combat such situations with better overall efficiency.

• Prevents Sludge Buildup

Over time, engine oil can break down and become contaminated with dirt and debris. This can form a sludge that clogs your engine components and hinders performance. This is where an engine oil check comes in handy. By checking and frequently changing oil, you can prevent this buildup.

• Longer Engine Life

By reducing friction, wear, and tear, regular oil changes help extend the life of your engine.  This can save much money in the long run compared to replacing a faulty engine sooner. Apart from this, the lubricant is also responsible for dissipating the heat generated by the engine. As the oil ages, it becomes less efficient, and thus, to maintain optimal performance, you must understand the importance of regular oil changes. 

• Better Gas Mileage

A well-lubricated engine with clean oil operates more efficiently. This directly leads to improved gas mileage. Thus, you save much money on fuel costs and improve your automobile’s fuel economy. 

• Reduced Emissions

Clean oil helps the engine burn fuel more efficiently, releasing fewer harmful environmental emissions. Hence, this is an essential step in reducing our carbon footprint. 

• Maintains Warranty 

Many car manufacturers require following their recommended oil change intervals to uphold the vehicle’s warranty. Following the manufacturer’s oil change schedule on logbook service is the best way to ensure your engine receives the care it needs.  

Apart from these, some factors, like frequent stop-and-go driving or towing heavy loads, may necessitate more frequent oil changes. Therefore, consulting your car’s manual or a trusted mechanic can help you determine the optimal performance of your car’s fuel; now, you are convinced that your car needs maintenance, too, but you must be wondering about the frequency of oil changes. 

How Often Should I Change the Oil in My Car?

The recommended timing of an oil change for your car depends on several factors, including:

• Vehicle Age and Manufacturer’s Recommendation

Newer vehicles with synthetic oil generally go longer between oil changes than older vehicles with conventional oil. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific recommended oil change intervals. Apart from this, you can also consult your car mechanic. Generally, the professionals suggest somewhere between 5,000 and 15,000 miles.

• Driving Conditions

Suppose your car faces extreme conditions, such as short trips, stop-and-go traffic, or extreme weather. Moreover, heavy-duty vehicles that tow a trailer or haul heavy loads also need frequent oil changes. 

In addition to mileage, checking your oil levels regularly is essential. You can do this by consulting your car manual for instructions on testing the oil filter.  If your car requires lubricant between oil changes, you must fill up with the recommended oil. Otherwise, you can follow your auto maintenance log book and set an appointment with your mechanic. After knowing this, we will talk about the signs of oil change. 

Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change

There are a few indications that it is time for your car to have an oil change. The most common ones are:

• Most modern vehicles have an oil change reminder light that will flash when the vehicle shows the need for a lubricant change. 
• If the engine changes your motor oil’s colour and if the oil turns black or dark brown due to dirt, change the oil. A change in colour signifies that the oil is dirty or old and will not lubricate properly, resulting in unusual engine noises such as squealing or grinding.
• Smelling burning oil can indicate low engine oil or a leak.
• If your vehicle seems to slow down or use more gas than usual, it could be a sign that the engine oil is dirty and needs to be changed.

When such a thing happens, you can ask your car for oil change services. Even if you don’t notice any of these signs when such situations arise, you should change the oil regularly according to your vehicle’s manual. Recommended intervals will vary depending on your vehicle’s model and driving habits.

Different Types of Engine Oil

There are many types of engine oil, including 

• Conventional: This is the most common type and suitable for most cars. 
• Synthetic: It is chemically enhanced to provide superior performance and better lubrication. 
• Synthetic blend: As a blend of synthetic and conventional oil, it offers the advantages of synthetic oil at a cheaper rate. 
• High-mileage: Specifically formulated for automobiles over 75,000 miles, prevents leaks and reduces oil consumption. 

How to Change Your Oil? 

The oil change process is pretty simple but consists of a few steps. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to do it. 

Step 1: So, let’s start by gathering the supplies first. You will need:

• Fresh engine oil
• Oil filter 
• Wrench
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Gloves 
• Towel 

Step 2: Now, we must prepare the vehicle and engage the parking brake for safety. You can also place the wheel chocks behind the back wheels for additional support. 

Step 3: Drain out the black oil from the oil plug. You can use the drain pan to do it. 

Step 4: In this step of car engine service, you can locate the oil filter and remove it. Clean the area with a towel and install the new filter. Be sure to screw the filter back in place properly. 

Step 5: You can add the new oil now with the help of a funnel. However, you must be careful not to overfill. Once you are done with the process, be sure to close the filter cap securely. 

Step 6: In this final step, you can start your engine and let it run for some time. After a while, check the underneath of your car for signs of leakage. If the oil is leaking, tighten the parts you had opened. 

However, if this seems like a lot of work, you can take your vehicle to a car repair shop. As we make this suggestion, now you may be wondering about professional services. 

Do I need Professional Oil Change Servicing?

While it can be tempting to change your car’s oil yourself, professional oil changes offer many advantages. They ensure proper oil usage, fluid flow, and log book car service.

Moreover, their trained technicians can perform multi-point inspections during service, which can catch minor problems before they become major problems. Thus, it can extend your engine’s life cycle and gas mileage. And if you ask us, the most convincing ‘changing car oil benefits’ is that it gives you peace of mind on the road. 

Takeaways

In conclusion, taking your car to an auto repair service and investing in an oil change will add years of life to your vehicle. These preventative measures will save you money in the long run and ensure the smooth functioning of your car. So schedule an oil change with ASFA today and experience the difference that fresh oil can make.