The Importance of Oil Changes
We cannot overstate the importance of oil changes. If you use conventional oil, you need to have it changed every 3,000 miles. If you use synthetic oil, it should be changed every 5,000 miles. The motor oil isn’t the only thing that is changed during an oil change service. We also replace the oil filter to ensure it does not get clogged. Let’s talk more about the importance of oil changes below.
What the Motor Oil Does
The motor oil circulates through the engine while the engine is running in order to lubricate the moving parts so they do not grind against each other and create friction. The motor oil also removes dirt from the engine parts to help keep your engine clean. Finally, the oil helps remove heat from the engine parts to keep your engine’s temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. The motor oil plays the most important role in protecting your engine while it is running.
What The Filter Does
The oil filter removes the dirt that the oil picks up once it has circulated through the engine. This cleans the oil so it is ready to remove more dirt from the engine. The oil filter can get clogged with the dirt that the oil picks up from the engine. When this happens, you will start to have engine performance problems. In fact, your engine may overheat. In severe cases, the clog in the filter may prevent the oil from circulating and damage your engine beyond repair.
How Both Get Dirty
Naturally, the oil gets dirty by picking up the dirt in the engine. The oil filter gets dirty by removing the dirt from the oil. A when t the mileage milestone based on the oil type that you use both the oil and oil filter are now too dirty. In addition, the motor oil is losing its viscosity, which means that the oil can no longer protect the engine. Old motor oil also starts to oxidize, which means that it fills with air bubbles.
The Related Consequences
We discussed some of the related consequences above. A clogged oil filter can damage your engine beyond repair but so can dirty motor oil. In order to keep your engine properly lubricated, clean, and running at a normal temperature, you need clean motor oil circulating through it as well as circulating through a clean oil filter. Anything else will damage the engine.
Call us today if you are overdue for an oil change.