Why change your oil?
Revised 10/9/24
If you haven’t been living under a rock, I’m sure you have heard that it is a good idea to change the oil in your vehicle. But what’s so important about oil changes anyway, and does it hurt to drive a little longer before changing your oil?
Oil plays a critical role in every engine. Most parts in an engine are metal parts that are constantly moving up and down, twisting, spinning, rocking, or tapping against another metal part. For comparison you can rub your hands together and the harder your push them together or the longer you rub them you will notice more heat building. In an engine without oil these metal parts will rub against each other until the heat causes the parts to bend, stick to each other, or melt. Oil helps to lubricate those parts for a low-friction slip past each other which keeps them cooler as well.
How often should you change the oil in your car? The short answer is to consult your car’s owner’s manual. Each vehicle has different recommended oil life and oil types to be used. As a general rule, changing your oil more often is better for the engine but you wouldn’t want to be changing your oil every day. The old rule of thumb was to change all oil every 3,000 miles but with todays modern engines and better oils most people seem to recommend 5,000 miles. In your owners manual you can find the factory recommendation with some vehicles now being promoted as going as long as 15,000 miles between oil changes!
Here at Rigid Repair we are automotive experts and would be happy to tell you what we recommend on your specific car, truck, suv, or tractor backed by years of experience. We have seen plenty of well maintained engines as well as plenty that have failed earlier than they might have with better maintenance. Feel free to call us with your questions about oil life and other mechanical topics, or just stop by every 5,000 miles for a quality oil change experience.
When searching for an oil change or auto repair in Sanpete County, Rigid Repair is your best choice! We work on all makes and models, cars, trucks, SUV’s, farm equipment, and more. Come see us at 496 s 100 e in Fountain Green, Utah, or give us a call at 435-262-9159.
