Motor oil plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of your engine every time you start it up. It is therefore very important to make sure that it remains in good condition and that it is fully able to do its job. This is only possible if it is changed regularly to guarantee the quality of the oil and to make sure that it has not gathered too much dirt which could cause problems with the engine later on.
There are different theories about how often you should change your oil, but the majority of manufacturers seem to agree that it should be done every 7,500 miles for passenger cars. This sounds like a lot, but this is what is recommended in order to keep your car performing at its maximum efficiency. In cars with diesel engines the recommendation is to change it even more regularly, with car manufacturers stating that it should be replaced every 3,000 miles or every 6 months.
Not changing your oil on a regularly basis could end up causing problems for your car. The oil can become diluted if it is not replenished often and this can mean that the oil starts to break down. If this happens, the oil becomes thinner and offers the engine less protection from its own moving parts.
More friction can result and this can cause unnecessary wear and tear on engine components which will cost a lot more to repair than it does to change your oil. This diluted oil can also compromise the performance of your car, increase your carbon footprint by increasing the level of harmful emissions it produces, and drastically affect the fuel economy and the amount of oil which your car needs to perform well.
Your owner’s manual should outline a recommendation from the manufacturer about how often they suggest that you should change your oil. It will depend on the size of your engine, the type of fuel your vehicle requires, the surface of the roads on which you drive most often and many other external factors. There is no such thing as changing your oil too often, so if you are in doubt about whether or not you should replace it, changing it would be the safest option.
