Oil is one of the most important parts of a car, and you should change it regularly to keep your engine in good condition. In fact, you should check your oil levels every time before starting your vehicle. There’s a dipstick that will tell you how much oil is in the tank when checking them.
If it says “Add oil,” then it means too much was used, and more needs to be added. Now, you’re probably wondering how often you should change engine oil in your car, so let’s talk about it.
How Often and Why It’s Important
How frequent you should change your car’s oils depends on many factors, such as type/brand of motor oil used, age, and use pattern (e.g., highway vs. city driving). But as an average, you should change your car’s oil every six months or 5,000 kilometers (3,000 miles), whichever comes first.
It’s recommended that drivers not exceed the manufacturer’s specified mileage limit between oil changes. This can lead to a chemical breakdown of the engine and will need replacing sooner than expected. This type of breakdown occurs when there are too many contaminants in the motor oil, reducing its performance over time.
You should also remember that while it’s possible to drive without an oil change for a few thousand kilometers, it’s not advisable. Motor oils are essential in lubricating your engine and reducing wear on the moving parts of the engine. With no motor oil, these elements will grind together and eventually cause failure.
Are you worried about forgetting when to change your car’s engine oil?
Auto dealership service departments and repair companies typically leave a label on your car’s windshield after completing an oil change to remind you of when the next oil change is recommended, with respect to the date and number of miles. This is also one of the reasons why many tend to go to auto repair shops even for the most basic of their vehicle’s concern.
And thus, you must be sure to check the label periodically and mark down the date for your next oil change. For those in the oil change business, MRM Marketing is a leading source for affordable and quality oil change printers and oil change stickers. Check them out at https://mbrmarketing.com/service-department/oil-change-stickers-and-printers.
Tips for Maintaining Good Engine Oil
Here are some practical tips you can use to maintain your car’s engine oil properly:
Tip #1: Warming up your vehicle before parking it.
It’s always a good idea to drive for at least five minutes before switching to park mode, as it helps to keep oils in your car from degrading quickly. It provides them enough time to flow through all parts of the engine while being heated up with friction and heat, so they get thoroughly mixed without separation.
Tip #2: Never use one type of oil forever.
You should never use one type of oil from now until eternity without changes, because over time, it will degrade. Combine it with a small amount of new oil, and the old one will go away on its own.
Tip #3: Don’t use contaminated engine oil.
Oil can get contaminated with many foreign substances like gasoline, water, or dirt. If it does, you need to dispose of it as soon as possible instead of using it again because the contamination will cause accelerated degradation.
Tip #4: Keep your engine cool.
When the temperature of oil goes up, so does its viscosity, and thinning it with a lower grade can cause more wear on parts that are supposed to work smoothly, such as bearings or gears.
Tip #5: Don’t forget about your windshield wipers!
Oil can cause your wipers to wear out quickly and irritate the rubber. So, make sure you clean off any excess oil with soap and water before using them. This includes making sure there aren’t any pads or pieces of metal stuck in the wiper blades themselves that would impede their back and forth motion.
Tip #6: Always change your oil before there’s a leak.
Oil leaks are usually caused by bad gaskets or seals, which will only get worse overtime. So, when it comes to changing your engine oils, be sure that the level is at least halfway up and make an appointment for next week.
Tips for Changing Engine Oil
If you know how to change your own car’s engine oil, here are some great tips to use:
Tip #1: Prepare your workspace properly
Find a flat and open surface nearby to change your oil so you have plenty of room to work safely. This could include using jack stands if you’re working on elevated surfaces like ramps or driveways, but it’s not mandatory. Cover the area with newspapers before starting so that excess fluids don’t make too much of a mess if they spill.
Tip #2: Preparing your tools and supplies and being safe
You’ll need an oil container, a funnel, several clean rags or shop towels, and some paper toweling. These are essential for the final step in filling your car’s engine with new oil. You take out as much oil from beneath your car without leaks. You should also wear protective gloves and goggles when changing engine oil because this task can be messy and slippery even if done correctly. Don’t increase the risk here by using the regular gloves or goggles you use for everyday purposes as they can do more harm than help. Try to get these items from a firm that specializes in making safety gear. You can, for instance, look at this firm selling unigloves nitrile gloves and other items.
Tip #3: Change your engine fluids too
Regularly check all of your vehicle’s fluid levels as part of its regular maintenance schedule. This ensures that nothing is leaking or running low, which could cause an issue later on. Changing these fluids regularly will also help keep them clean for extended periods without wear-and-tear. It lowers costs in the long run because you won’t need to replace parts as often.
Tip #4: Add more oil if necessary
If your owner manual recommends adding a certain amount of motor oils or other fluids after changing them, do so before running any further tests on the vehicle to see what else may be wrong with it.
If there are no instructions for how much fluid should be added, follow the same procedure as filling up with gas. You should do so because they’re very similar substances that need about the same volume each time (unless otherwise specified by an experienced mechanic).
When you take good care of your engine oil, you’ll find yourself running into fewer problems down the road. And since owning a car can be a hefty investment, you’ll want to keep it in good order so you can enjoy being on the road safely.