Oil changes; the task nobody enjoys but cannot neglect totally. Pushing it off, thinking, “Eh, it’s just oil,” is easy. But the engine of your car depends almost entirely on that small golden liquid container. Ignorance about it could be as good as starting a savings account for a replacement engine.
See oil as the personal protector for your engine. It lubricates every moving component, therefore lowering friction and stopping metal-on– metal anarchy. Still, oil deteriorates with time. It gets sludgy, filthy, and loses its capacity to keep things working as they should. Problems then begin to simmer under the hood.
New oil keeps your engine cool; old oil? not very lot. Because dirty oil flows more difficultly, your engine must work harder and heats up more quickly. More wear and tear resulting from such heat breaks down parts faster than you would think. Running a marathon without water is like running a marathon with nothing eventually; something is going to give out.
Additionally bad for your fuel economy is skipping oil changes. Thick, dirty oil makes an engine less efficient by increasing resistance. That means more visits to the petrol station and more money pouring out of your wallet. The engine strains more, and your pay for less bang at the pump.
There then is the accumulation problem. Dirtier oil leaves sludge in your engine over time. These deposits hinder oil flow and choke important passageways. Like trying to slurp a milkshake through a coffee stirrer, it is irritating and absolutely useless. Time bombs in clogged engines are ticking. They will finally seize and leave you with a repair expense that will cause you to sweat.
Though timing counts, changing your oil is not rocket science. Every car differs from one another. Some require fresh oil every 3,000 miles; others may run up to 7,500 or even 10,000 miles. Though they last longer, modern synthetic oils nevertheless break down finally. Ignoring those little dashboard warnings is like ignoring a smoke alarm; you risk trouble.
Let us now address the filter. Not less valuable than the oil itself is a fresh oil filter. It catches all the dirt and pollutants that would otherwise be cycling through your engine. Changing the oil without replacing the filter is like showering and dressing in soiled garments. Initially you might feel fresh, yet the issue still exists.
Further aggravating things is cold weather. Thick oil in freezing temps flows slowly, leaving vital engine parts vulnerable during startup. Conversely, summer heat may hasten the breakdown of thin oil, therefore increasing your risk of overheating and engine damage. Unless you keep up with things, this is a lose-lose scenario.
While doing your own oil changes will save some money, making corners is not worth the danger. Just as much damage can result from the incorrect oil type or overfilling the crankcase as from skipping an oil change completely. If you’re not sure you could do it yourself, you’d be wise to let a professional handle it.
Consider frequent oil changes as dental brushing. Skip too much, and you’ll be staring at cavities—that is, a ruined engine. Every few months, a fast oil change helps you avoid a wallet-crushing repair down road. Simplify it: fresh oil, a new filter, a happy engine.