Oil Changes and Why They're Important

When you think of car maintenance one of the first things that comes to mind is probably an oil change. Not only are oil changes the most common form of car maintenance but they are also the cheapest. That’s great news considering keeping up on your engine’s oil is the single most important thing you could do to keep your car running smooth. Moreover, the engine can be the most expensive part of the car to service or replace. So why not protect it?

How Do Oil Changes Protect My Car’s Engine?

Most cars these days have a variable valve timing solenoid. This component makes cars more fuel efficient and gives them more power. However, these valves create a lot of small passageways for the oil to travel through which causes oil sludge build-up. The oil needs to run as quickly and freely as possible, otherwise, the engine runs on less oil which can cause it to deteriorate. 

Below is an animation showing the passageways in the variable valve timing solenoid, and the oil that can get stuck in them...

When to Get My Oil Changed.

The rule of thumb used to be “change your oil every 3,000 miles,” however, many car manufacturers have recently advised that their cars should be serviced around 7,000-10,000 miles. That is way too long! 

Weber Automotive suggests that users shorten their manufacturer’s recommendation by 20-30% or roughly 4,000-5,000 miles in order to keep their car engine running for a very long time!
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind what type of driving you’re doing, as it can affect when you should get an oil change. For example, if you drive severe duty (towing, hauling, cold weather, short trips) then you should come in for an oil change sooner. 

Contact Us Today to Schedule Your Service!

Next time you think, “is it time for an oil change?” the answer is probably YES! It’s never too soon for an oil change and when it’s the cheapest maintenance to protect your most expensive part, why wait? 
If you have any questions on when you should get an oil change based on what car you drive, how you drive, where you drive, or anything else, contact us at Weber Automotive!