As drivers, there are many things we can do to protect our investment and keep our vehicles working safely and properly. One very simple thing we can do is to ensure that our vehicle’s motor oil is maintained on a regular basis. Read on to find out why this is important.
Motor oil serves three primary functions for our vehicles. First, motor oil is the cleaner of dirt and grime buildupin our engines. Second, motor oil lubricates your engine’s moving parts and protects them from the constant friction and motion. And finally, motor oil works to insulate your engine parts from high temperatures during operation.
Two Tips for Maintaining Your Oil
Because motor oil plays such an important role in the smooth operation of your vehicle’s engine, there are two common practices to follow for ongoing maintenance:
- Check Your Oil Level Periodically: While it is not necessary to check your oil every time you drive your vehicle, it can help if you check it every month or every other month. Make oil checks part of a routine for your vehicle, it only takes a few minutes. When checking your oil level, also consider the color. Is the oil dark and grimy looking? Is it clear and amber? Oil color can indicate when oil needs to be changed. The darker and dirtier, the more urgent the need to change your oil. If your oil level is low, you may want to have the car care professionals at Car Kings in Wallington, NJ, do an oil check-up. You may also want to examine the area beneath your vehicle to see if there is any pooling of oil. An oil leak is something that you want to address before it becomes a bigger issue for your vehicle. Typically, you should check your oil level when the engine has been running for a short time and is warm. Be careful, however, to not touch any hot parts that can burn your hands or arms.
- Get Regular Oil Changes: The frequency of oil changes really depends on the type of oil you are using and the recommended time frames from your vehicle manufacturer. We offer synthetic oils as an option. Synthetic oils are oil mixtures that have been developed in laboratories and designed to last longer and perform better under a wider variety of temperature conditions. Most service professionals agree that conventional oil should be replaced every 3,000 – 5,000 miles of driving. Synthetic oils last longer and do not need to be replaced as Frequently, however, we recommend that you not go over 7,500 miles, even with synthetic oils.
Check with your owner’s manual to determine the best type of oil for your vehicle. When you bring your vehicle to our shop in Wallington, our service professionals can also recommend the right grade of oil for your vehicle. The grade of oil you use is determined by the time of year and temperature conditions. Oil grades consider the viscosity, or thickness of the oil. Oils with a lower viscosity (in other words they are thinner) are designed to work more effectively in colder temperatures. Higher viscosity oils (or thicker oil) work best in more extreme temperatures.
One final word on synthetic oils vs. conventional is cost. Synthetic oils tend to be more expensive, but last longer between changes. Conventional oils are more cost-effective but need to be changed more often.
Take the time to learn more about your vehicle’s oil and add these simple tips to your monthly routine. If you put the small effort in to maintaining your vehicle’s oil, it will pay off for you in the end with a well-maintained engine.