Sunday, August 30, 2015

CHANGE ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTERS

People rarely pay too much attention to engine oil. Unfortunately it tends to be either ignored or forgotten unless it drips on to your driveway or smokes heavily from your car exhaust. However, this is a mistake and could actually prove to be a costly one. All engine oil and oil filters should be replaced regularly for the benefit of your vehicles’ engine life. Manufacturers recommend oil changes at an interval somewhere between 3,000 and 10,000 miles. The fact of the matter is there is no hard or fast rule about when your engine oil or your filter should be replaced: it depends upon a number of factors like engine age and mileage, but the one thing for certain is that it needs to be done.


WHY DO OIL FILTERS AND ENGINE OILS NEED CHANGING?

Oil undergoes continued thermal breakdown due to high operating temperature. When this occurs, the oil becomes less effective as a lubricant.  Without a good and efficient lubricant, parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out. Oil also contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get depleted and cease to be effective.  Oil can also absorb water, dust and combustion by-products and hold them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated with this ‘stuff’ and can’t absorb any more. This remains in the engine and can cause corrosion.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T CHANGE THE OIL AND OIL FILTER?

In short, your engine won’t last as long as it should. Oil serves many crucial functions, and clean oil carries out these functions better than dirty oil. Oil is relatively cheap, and changing your oil every 5,000 miles is a very cheap insurance policy to avoid unnecessary major costly repairs.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD THE OIL AND FILTER BE CHANGED?

There is no definite answer to that question as it depends upon a number of variables: however, we would recommend changing your engine oil and filter approximately every 5000 miles. This will ensure that your engine lasts as long as possible. However, you may need to change your engine oil and filter more regularly in the following circumstances:
  • You tend to drive erratically with heavy acceleration or high-speed driving and heavy braking
  • You vehicle runs in conditions where the temperatures are extremely hot or cold
  • You often drive on unmade roads or off-road
  • Your engine is old and burns oil
  • You frequently carry heavy loads
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