Why You Need to Schedule Regular Oil Changes

Why You Need to Schedule Regular Oil Changes

You’ve likely already been told it’s important to change your vehicle’s oil regularly. However, some people fail to prioritise this car maintenance task for the simple reason that they don’t genuinely understand why changing their oil regularly is essential.

Don’t worry if you’re such a person. This is an often misunderstood topic. To better appreciate why you need to change your oil after driving a certain distance, consider the following points.

Keeping Internal Components Lubricated

A vehicle’s engine (and the vehicle in general) contains many moving components. You don’t usually see them in operation, so it’s easy to forget that. Oil keeps those components properly lubricated. If you don’t change your oil often enough, they could sustain damage or fail to function properly.

That’s a key point to remember. Repairing your vehicle because improper lubrication resulted in damage will definitely be more expensive than simply changing your oil. By regularly scheduling this maintenance task, you’re in fact saving money in the long run.

Optimising Your Engine’s Lifespan

Over time, fresh oil turns to “sludge” in an engine. This can also cause damage if the problem isn’t addressed. Eventually, it may even substantially reduce your engine’s lifespan. This is yet another way in which scheduling regular oil changes helps you avoid unnecessary expenses.

Avoiding Overheating

Damage to the components isn’t the only problem you need to worry about when they aren’t lubricated. All that movement in the engine generates friction. If the components aren’t lubricated enough, that friction can generate heat. The engine may eventually overheat if the problem isn’t addressed. Unfortunately, this is another issue that’s relatively expensive to fix.

Improving Vehicle Performance

Vehicles that have their oil changed regularly tend to operate more efficiently than vehicles with old oil. They also tend to stay in good working condition for a longer period of time.

A vehicle is an investment. You need to make sure you’re taking all necessary steps to protect your investment and optimise its lifespan. Changing your oil regularly is a simple but effective way to do so.

Identifying Other Problems

Although you can’t expect to get free service, scheduling regular oil changes does give you the opportunity to discuss other issues you may be worried about, such as strange noises or changes in your vehicle’s handling. Quite simply, coordinating with experts on a routine basis will help you keep your car on the road for as long as possible.

These are all good reasons not to delay when your car needs an oil change. At St Albans Car Clinic, we offer this service, helping you maintain your vehicle’s condition. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.