Your car’s engine is comprised of many moving parts. As such, those parts must be properly lubricated to prevent damage and unnecessary wear and tear. Oil in the engine will help with this. However, that oil won’t last forever. It will break down and get contaminated with dust, debris and dirt from the engine as well as the surrounding environment. When this happens, oil can’t do its job properly.

According to the Car Care Council, 22 percent of vehicles have low or dirty engine oil. When you are proactive in changing your vehicle’s oil and filter, you are helping the engine continue to work optimally while preventing costly repairs down the road. When you compare the average cost of a year’s worth of oil changes (which comes to about $120), with the cost of failing to maintain your vehicle’s engine ($4,000+), you will  see the benefit to your wallet and the car’s health.

Here are five ways in which oil changes save vehicles. Oil changes:

1.    Maintain Engine Lubrication

There are a lot of moving parts in your engine, from the pistons to the valves, and they’re all moving at high rates of speed, Thus, they are creating heat and start to wear down the engine without proper oil lubrication. Check your owner’s manual for the specific weight and grade of oil your vehicle requires, and make sure it stays at the recommended fill volume.

2.    Cools Engine Components

Moving parts that don’t have proper lubrication will start creating friction, which in turn will generate heat. When you maintain clean and sufficient amounts of oil, you are doing your part to prevent over-heating.

3.    Removes Particles and Sludge

Dirt particles are the enemy of engines. Over time, dirt causes corrosion and decreases the life span of your engine. As time goes on, oil will break down and turn to sludge. Regular oil and filter changes will remove harmful particles and sludge, keeping your engine at peak condition.

4.    Improves Gas Mileage

Poor engine lubrication leads to increased fuel consumption. This is why it’s important to always have clean oil in the engine. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your gas mileage by one to two percent when you use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.

May not sound like much, but for the average vehicle, it can mean a savings of an entire gallon of gas for one year.

5.    Promotes Longevity

Routine maintenance, quite simply, will ensure your vehicle lasts longer. Build-up from contaminated oil will decrease your vehicle’s fuel economy, forcing internal components to work harder. If your engine works too hard, you will have more problems down the road and a shorter life span.

It can be a pain to keep up with oil changes every few months, but it’s a necessary task and your car will thank you for it.

Contact Mr. Fixit Auto Care

To schedule your next oil and filter change, contact us in Rocklin CA at 916-645-2293. You will see just how affordable and convenient our oil changes are!