Oil changes are vital. Oil should be changed every 3,000 miles if you are using conventional oil. Synthetic oil should be changed every 5,000 miles. An oil change service includes more than just changing the motor oil. To prevent it from getting clogged, we also change the oil filter. We will discuss the importance of oil changes in detail below.
What does the motor oil do?
Motor oil is circulated through the engine during engine operation to lubricate moving parts and prevent them from grinding against each other. Motor oil helps keep your engine clean by removing dirt and grime from engine parts. The oil also helps to remove heat from engine parts, keeping your engine’s temperature down below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Motor oil is the key to protecting your engine when it is running.
What does the oil filter do?
After oil has circulated through the engine, the oil filter filters out any dirt. This removes dirt and grime from the oil, allowing it to be ready for more. Oil can build up on the filter and cause it to block. This can lead to engine performance issues. Your engine could even overheat. In extreme cases, a clog in your filter can block oil circulation and cause engine damage beyond repair.
Both Get Dirty
Oil naturally gets dirty from dirt and grime in the engine. Oil filters get dirty when oil is removed from the oil. The mileage milestone is based on the type of oil you use. Both the oil filter and the oil become too dirty once your vehicle has reached that mileage milestone. The motor oil’s viscosity is also decreasing, meaning that it can no longer protect your engine. Old motor oil can also oxidize and fill with air bubbles.
The Related Consequences
We have already discussed the consequences, but let’s go over them again because they are crucial to the health of your vehicle. Dirty motor oil can cause engine damage that is beyond repair. Clean motor oil must be circulated through the engine and through an oil filter to ensure it is properly lubricated. Any other thing will cause engine damage.
If you’re due for an oil change, call us immediately. We will schedule a service appointment for you to get you in and out of our auto repair shop as quickly as possible. It does not take us too long to do an oil change. You will be back on the road before you know it.