Tag: Oil Change
A Refresher Course On Changing Your Car's Oil
by admin on Jun.01, 2009, under Car Maintenance
A Refresher Course On Changing Your Car’s Oil
Drivers who were born prior to 1980 may remember when they had to have their car’s oil changed every 3,000 miles. That is the mileage marker most automakers used as a general recommendation regardless of the type of driving motorists subjected their vehicles to. Today, the 3,000-mile marker is rarely necessary. Engines are built more durable and the technology behind the lubricants has improved dramatically. In extreme cases, it might make sense (I’ll describe what “extreme” means in a moment), but most drivers can wait until 5,000, 7,500, and even 10,000 miles.
Having said that, it’s worth revisiting the frequency with which you change your vehicle’s oil. Below, I’ll describe driving conditions in which frequent changes may be necessary. We’ll also take a brief look at new technology which is eliminating the need to check the dipstick.
Consider Your Driving Conditions
A lot of automakers are recommending that drivers can wait up to 10,000 miles before having their car’s oil changed. However, if you look closely at the print, you may notice that the recommendation is for motorists who meet certain driving standards. Most of us don’t meet those standards. We push our vehicles in circumstances that might be considered harsh.
For example, many drivers cope with stop and go traffic when they leave the office and head home. Others use their cars to drive short distances on a regular basis. Still other motorists drive their vehicles at freeway speeds for long periods of time. Any of these circumstances are less than ideal and can put your engine at risk if it doesn’t receive proper lubrication. The problem is that most of us drive this way. If your owner’s manual recommends an oil change every 10,000 miles, check to see whether it mentions specific conditions.
Your Vehicle’s Computer Knows
More vehicles are being designed today with sensors that can detect when a lubricant change is necessary. In fact, many owners manuals will not suggest a recommended mileage marker at all. Instead, a car’s computer will keep track of the number of miles you’ve driven, the temperature of the antifreeze or coolant, and other factors. Then, it makes an estimation of the lubricant’s life. If it needs to be changed, the computer triggers a light on your dashboard.
What Happens When You Don’t Change It?
Over time, the oil that lubricates your engine accumulates moisture, dirt, and even metal particles. The filter should catch most of the debris before it reaches your engine, but there’s another potential problem: the longer you drive with it, the more depleted it becomes of important additives. Once those additives are depleted past a certain point, it loses its ability to lubricate your vehicle’s engine. When that happens, your engine can overheat.
The oil which protects your engine must be changed periodically. Check your owner’s manual and follow its recommendations based on your normal driving conditions.