When should i get the Oil Changed
How often do you visit the oil change shop? It might be more often than you need. Many of us were taught to get our engine oil changed every three thousand miles although that can mean considerable inconvenience and expense.
The latest thinking in automotive circles is that oil change intervals can be extended well beyond three thousand miles. That's good news for car owners, but many are understandably nervous about breaking old habits. Engines are expensive to replace and frequent oil changes seem like good insurance. So how often should you change the oil in your car?
Why change it all?
Oil coats moving parts and helps cool the engine. Lubrication is achieved by a very thin film that prevents metal-to-metal contact but allows the components to move with little resistance. Circulating oil through the engine takes heat away from the cylinders that would otherwise cause damage.
When an engine is first started, especially when it's cold, there's metal-to-metal contact. Microscopic particles are shaved off and carried away by the oil. Larger particles are taken out by the filter, but some remain in suspension. Combustion byproducts also get into the oil and over time degrade the performance of the lubricating molecules. Gradually, the oil loses it's ability to lubricate and metal-to-metal contact increases. The longer this oil stays in the engine the more wear will take place. Eventually, the engine's life will be greatly reduced.
Technological advances
Modern engine oils are complex blends of molecules and additives designed to perform under extreme temperature and pressure. The latest generation, known as “synthetic” oils, are almost entirely man-made with little relationship to naturally occurring crude oil. As a result, engine oil today does a far better job of providing extended lubrication than oils from ten or twenty years ago.
Engines have changed too. Materials are harder-wearing, manufacturing tolerances are smaller, and clearances are tighter. As a result, most engines will easily cover 200,000 miles and go much further when the oil is changed regularly.
Influences on oil life
The most important factors are the number of starts and whether the engine gets up to temperature. Most engine wear takes place at start-up, before oil has been pumped over all the surfaces, and that's also when most combustion byproducts get mixed in. As a result, a car that only makes short trips needs more frequently oil changes than one used for a long highway commute
Other factors that will mean more frequent oil changes are exposure to dust (like if you live on a dirt road,) and very high or very low temperatures. Towing can also shorten oil life.
How often should the oil be changed?
The experts at auto website Edmunds.com have published several articles on this subject. “Changing Your Oil” and “Should You Change Your Oil?” provide extensive advice. They suggest that when a car has an engine oil condition monitoring system, (found on many new vehicles, such as those from Chevrolet,) the best course of action is to wait until this indicates an oil change is needed. In the absence of such a system, the Edmunds' advice is to follow the manufacturers recommendations.
Check the manual or contact the manufacturer to learn what your car needs, but here are a few pointers: Fords from 2009 and later have a 7,500 mile recommendation, as do recent Hyundais.Toyotago with a more conservative 5,000, or 10,000 if synthetic oil is used.
The State of California recently conducted anchange study. This showed that oil changes could be extended well beyond three thousand miles without causing any harm. To help drivers what's recommended, the state has set up theYour Numberwebsite which covers most recent vehicles.
Oil changes protect your engine
Engine oil is essential and should be changed regularly to keep your engine in good condition. But changing more frequently than is needed just wastes time and money, so follow the recommendations for your vehicle.
