How often should I change my engine oil?
Many essential aspects of your car can go unchecked if you aren’t vehicle savvy. Engine oil is one of these factors and should, under best practice, be changed regularly. In this article, we will look at why engine oil is important and how often it should be changed.
Why is engine oil needed?
Engine oil plays an important part in keeping your engine working smoothly and effectively. The oil lubricates the internal moving parts of the engine which helps keep them running properly, whilst also preventing heat from building up. The oil also contains some additives which protect the parts from wear and corrosion caused by impurities which can find their way into the workings.
Over time, the oil can degrade and impurities can accumulate in the substance. This will decrease the functionality of the oil which can have serious repercussions for your engine, such as overheating and quicker wearing. To prevent the risk of damage, frequent oil changes are necessary; this will also help extend the life of your car and can even increase engine performance and mileage.
How often should engine oil be changed?
The general advice for changing engine oil is that it should be replaced every 5000-7500 miles you drive, or every 6 months, whichever comes first. However, this advice is a broad guideline and the figure for your vehicle will be recommended in your vehicle handbook and will also depend on factors such as type of engine oil, vehicle age and make, driving habits and standard driving conditions.
Older vehicles will likely need their engine oil changing more frequently. This is in part due to fact that lower grade oils can be used which break down quicker; newer cars need better quality oils which last longer. Additionally, older cars are more likely to have wearing parts which can lead to increased sludge build up in the oil, making oil changes necessary more frequently.
Driving habits and conditions can also increase the frequency engine oil replacement should be carried out. If you do a lot of city driving where persistent stopping, starting and idling is common, this reduces engine oil life and makes more oil changes necessary. Furthermore, driving conditions can affect engine oil too; off-road driving and dusty conditions can allow dirt particles to find their way into the car’s inner workings, including into the engine oil. Dirt particle contamination can reduce the efficiency of the oil, meaning that oil changes should be carried out more often to restore full performance.
Regular servicing
If you don’t feel you have the technical expertise to carry out an effective oil change yourself, it is best to take your car to a reputable mechanic who will carry out the work for you. They will ensure you get the correct oil for your vehicle and give your car a once over at the same time, allowing any other emerging issues to be dealt with swiftly. With regular fresh engine oil, you can extend your car’s lifespan and rest assured it is running at peak efficiency.
Munster Tyres provide a wide variety of car services to keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently. Our fully trained, professional mechanics carry out quality car servicing, MOTs, repairs and replacements on all vehicle models. Our Fulham based garage offers high standard vehicle services and trustworthy advice to those across North London. Contact us today for enquiries, or to book in your vehicle.