Everything You Need to Know About Oil Changes

Did you know oil changes are the most important routine vehicle maintenance to be performed?

It doesn’t seem like much, we get busy. Go a couple hundred klicks over. Christmas comes and we have to wait a couple weeks.

What could it hurt?

Without oil changes, your engine will eventually overheat, dry up, and turn into sludge regardless of how new your vehicle may be. Oil protects the engine from a wealth of issues that can arise when parts are not properly lubricated.

How Your Engine Works

Oil is sucked up from the engine’s sump, and is pushed throughout the engine to do its oily duties of cleaning, cooling, and protecting your engine.

Engines have a lot of moving parts, which means wear and friction. We know that friction creates heat and is potentially damaging to parts. Oil flows through moving parts, reducing friction and heat. Oil extends the life of your engine. 

Oil also keeps things clean! Dirt and particles cause sludgy, dirty oil that cause great harm to the engine. You only have to see sludge once to appreciate the glorious golden honey it’s replaced with!

However, an oil change is only step one! 

The oil filter helps remove the dirt and debris from the oil after it’s circulated through the engine so that it’s cleaner for its next circulation. Over time the filter gets very dirty and will require replacing. There was a time when the oil filter would need replacing every time, but with today’s technology that interval is being stretched. It’s important to refer to your owner’s manual to know which is right for your vehicle.

An added bonus is that oil changes improve fuel economy! This is because over time, as the oil breaks down, your engine has to work harder. A hard-working engine = burning more fuel. 

Save some money!!!

Oil changes won’t run you more than what it costs you to fill your tank up twice so you might as well save some fuel and increase the life of your engine.

When is it Time To Change Your Engine Oil?

This very much depends on the vehicle you drive! 

Newer vehicles usually require fewer oil changes than older ones. Check what your automaker suggests or refer to your owner’s manual to find the recommended oil change frequency for your vehicle. Generally, oil should be changed twice a year (every 6 months) regardless of mileage. If you are someone who drives a lot, then you should base your oil changes off your mileage rather than the time since your last visit. The recommended mileage for your vehicle could be anywhere from 5,000 km to 15,000 km depending on what you drive.

Think your vehicle may be due for an oil change? Don’t wait. Book an appointment online with our service department today!