Everything You Need To Know About Oil Changes And More

Many people have heard horror stories of what happens when you wait too long for an oil change, but a lot of Ohio drivers don’t understand just how critical a car’s motor oil is for keeping their vehicle running smoothly.

Everything You Need To Know About Oil

Motor oil is one of the most crucial fluids in your car. Engine oil or motor oil helps your car run smoothly and helps prevent damage to the moving components in your vehicle. It is specifically designed to cool and lubricate the quickly-moving components in your engine, such as pistons, bearings, valves, and cylinder walls.

The fast-moving components of your engine move together and heat up. That heat and friction, left to their own devices, can be devastating for your engine. The motor oil’s job is to cool the components and make sure they glide together rather than chafe. This keeps your engine in good condition for as long as possible.

As an essential component of your car’s performance, though, the engine puts a lot of stress on the motor oil. This causes the oil to chemically break down and lose its lubricating properties. Because of this deterioration, you need to regularly drain the old oil and replace it with fresh engine oil - an oil change. Getting an oil change rejuvenates the engine by refreshing the cooling and lubricating properties of the oil to allow for better performance, longevity, fuel efficiency, and more.

What Is An Oil Change?

A motor oil change is a service that you can do yourself or have a trained professional do for you, although most people recommend taking your vehicle to a professional service for the sake of time and ease. The service consists of draining out all of the old motor oil from the car and then replacing it with fresh oil.

As motor oil does its job, it picks up metal and dirt particles from the moving engine components. It then carries the oil through the oil filter to filter out those particles before cycling through the engine again. Since motor oil degrades as it carries those particulates and loses its lubricating properties, it needs to be replaced regularly to ensure that only clean oil is cycling through the engine.

The vehicle’s oil filter plays an important role as well, filtering out the metal and dirt particles to increase the longevity of the oil. It fills up over time and starts to clog up, becoming less effective at keeping those particulates out of the engine. Since those particulates can harm the engine over time, it is highly recommended to get a new oil filter every time you get an oil change.

How Do I Check My Oil?

Nowadays, most vehicles have an Oil Life Monitoring System or OLMS. This system monitors your vehicle operating conditions, including engine revolutions, engine temperature, and miles driven. It uses this information to tell you exactly when you need an oil change. Even with these systems, however, it is always important to keep an eye on your oil manually.

In order to check your oil, simply pop the hood of your car to access the engine. In your engine, find the dipstick. In some engines, this is clearly labeled, while in other engines, you may need to consult your Owner’s Manual to locate the dipstick. Once you’ve found the dipstick, simply pull it out, wipe the dipstick clean, then replace it. Slowly remove the dipstick again and check the level, color, and consistency of your oil.

To check your oil level, check the bottom of the dipstick. There should be “high” and “low” markings on the stick itself. It should be between these markers. You’ll also check to make sure the oil is black or brown. If it is any other color, you’ll want to take it to a shop as soon as possible. Additionally, if there are visible granules of metal or dirt, it is time for an oil change.

How Often Do I Need To Change My Oil?

If your car has an OLMS system, take your vehicle in for an oil change as soon as the light comes on. If you don’t have an OLMS, check your Owner’s Manual to see the Service and Maintenance Schedule that your car’s manufacturer recommends.

Your oil manufacturers and vehicle manufacturer generally offer different advice when it comes to oil changes, but a good rule to follow is to change your oil every 3,000-7,000 miles or every 3-6 months, whichever comes first.

These ranges differ, however, based on the type of oil your car uses. Full synthetic oil generally lasts closer to the 7,000-mile mark, while conventional oil only lasts to the 3,000. Semi-synthetic or synthetic blend oil lasts somewhere in the middle.

What Happens If I Don’t Change My Oil?

The oil and oil filter see a build-up of debris as the oil lubricates and cools your engine while the heat and friction deteriorate the oil. If you skip regular oil changes, the metal and dirt particulates start to clog up your engine, causing issues such as lowered performance, faster deterioration of the engine, corrosion, sludge accumulation, overheating, and even total engine failure.

What Are The Different Types Of Car Oil?

Selecting the right oil can be complicated if you’re not a specialist, but the good news is that many cars take one kind of oil. You can find the recommended type in your Owner’s Manual or under the hood of your car. Some cars, however, can use different types of oil, which leaves Ohio drivers facing a choice with their oil changes. Generally speaking, there are three kinds of motor oil.

*Synthetic*

Full synthetic oil is the most expensive and longest-lasting kind of oil, generally used in high-performance vehicles. A full synthetic oil change is going to cost the most, especially for vehicles that take up to five quarts, but you won’t need to get it done as frequently.

*Semi-Synthetic*

Semi-synthetic oil or synthetic blend oil combines conventional oil and synthetic oil to offer many benefits similar to synthetic oil but at a lower price point.

*Conventional*

Conventional motor oil is what has been in use for decades and is generally recommended for older vehicles with low mileage. Conventional oil comes in a variety of viscosities and quality levels.

Evans BMW: Here For All Your Oil Needs

Evans BMW knows just how critical an oil change is to keep your car running smoothly, which is why we offer full-service oil change services to Dayton residents. Ready for an oil change? Give us a call or visit our website to set up an appointment for an oil change today.