Engine Oil: Why is it important?
When we talk about car maintenance, oil changes are at the top of the subject. Why? Engine oil is Vital to the health of the engine & is the life blood that keeps it going. It is the lubrication that the mechanical parts need to keep moving and to stay cool. Without oil the engine will destroy itself from all the friction between the internal components.
What happens if you don’t change your engine oil?
If we don’t change our engine oil on time as per recommended by manufacturers, two things can happen: Oxidation and Contamination of the lubricant. Both of these things can have very adverse effects on the engine as we’ll see why in a moment.
Oxidation is the process in which a substance is chemically combined with oxygen. When you leave an Avocado out and it starts to turn brown, that process is called oxidation. Just like the Avocado, our engine oil is no exception. During normal engine operation, the engine oil temperature increases which also increases the rate of the chemical process. This can result in several problems including….
Formation of sludge and deposits that reduce engines efficiency and increase the risk of engine failure
Increased oil viscosity which reduces mechanical efficiency and fuel economy.
Additive depletion, reducing the effectiveness of the oil
To fight against oxidation manufacturers are now switching to Synthetic oils which has a much higher resistance to the chemical process. This is why it is important to use high quality fluids when servicing your vehicle.
When it comes to oil Contamination there are two types: Abrasives and Fluids
Abrasives are the top problem-inducing contaminants because they tend to cause the most damage. These can include dust and dirt that gets into the engine and circulates through the oiling system. Although there is an oil filter to help prevent this type of damage, some particles are small enough to make it past the filter.
Water and Fuel contamination is also an enemy as far as oil is concerned. Water and Fuel can find itself trapped inside oil which has a laundry list of adverse effects. This is especially true if we take short trips without warming up the engine. Water can cause iron or steel parts in the engine to rust which not only causes them to deteriorate, but turns them into an abrasives. Water is also a very bad lubricant and will increase engine wear if to much is present.
What does this all mean?
If you want to keep your car running smooth and avoid catastrophic engine failure: Change your cars engine oil as per recommended by manufacturer! For some cars this may be every 3,000 miles and others every 7,000 miles. All in all it’s good insurance. You can change your oil yearly for ~$300 or risk engine repairs up to ~$6,000. The choice is yours.
Ask PM Autoworks about your Factory Subaru oil change intervals and see how we can help you avoid engine damage.
