Benefits of Changing Your Oil On Time

What’s a Little More Driving Time Between Oil Changes?

Changing the oil and filter regularly is one of the most important preventive maintenance gifts you can give your vehicle. It greatly extends the life and performance of your auto while reducing problems and repair costs for you. Some drivers seem to wonder, “Can’t I just keep adding oil?” No, you cannot simply pour more in indefinitely and expect a favorable outcome. Although you shouldn’t operate your car with a low oil level and may, therefore, need to add oil between changes, that doesn’t eliminate the need for lubricant exchange. Getting oil changes and auto repairs you need doesn’t have to be complicated. Rely on Clayton Lube & Tune in Clayton, North Carolina, for your service needs.

What’s The Big Deal Anyway?

Maybe you’re questioning why oil change matters so much. As long as there’s oil in the car, shouldn’t that be enough? First, let’s understand lubricant’s function in your vehicle. Engine oil coats the moving metal parts. This is vital to reducing the friction between those components. Also, oil absorbs a lot of the heat generated by that friction. Finally, oil grabs dirt and debris particles, suspending them so that they don’t directly rub the metal. The more those particles make contact with engine parts, the greater scarring and corrosion they cause.

Now that you know what the motor oil should do, let’s examine what happens over time. As oil ages–which is a product of both time and mileage–it begins to break down. This term refers to lubricant’s loss of ability to do its job as intended. Specifically, it can no longer coat the moving parts as well as it should, leaving them vulnerable to friction’s detrimental impact. Also, it doesn’t wick away the heat well. It can’t hold the dirt away from metal either. What’s more, as the “dead” oil combines with dirt, it begins to form sludge. That’s a dark, gel-like goo that chokes your engine such that nothing works as well. The problem can become so severe that you begin to see evidence of the nastiness on the exterior surfaces of your engine.

When and Where?

Now, you’ve got it. Change that oil! Your auto manufacturer provides recommended intervals as well as information about the specific oil you need in the owner’s manual. If you’re still unsure of what’s right for your car or if you drive under extreme conditions, we’ll be glad to help you set an appropriate schedule. For oil changes, other preventive maintenance services, and auto repair, you can count on the certified technicians at Clayton Lube & Tune.