Oil is extremely important to the well-being of your vehicle. In fact, it is often referred to as the vehicle’s life blood.
Regular oil changes are crucial to the condition of your vehicle. They keep your vehicle operating newer longer. Motor oil is responsible for three vital functions in the engine:
- It keeps the engine lubricated to keep the parts moving smoothly.
- It helps to prevent overheating by reducing friction and absorbing heat naturally produced by the engine.
- It prevents damaging elements from building up and clogging up the engine.
You can think of maintaining regular oil changes as low-cost protection for your engine. When it is time for your next oil change, you have two options: change it yourself, or find a mechanic to do it for you. We are going to explain to you why it may be better to choose the latter.
Why You Should Have an Expert Change the Oil
The two main reasons to rely on an automotive expert to help you with oil maintenance are risk and convenience.
It is not as convenient to change your oil at home as you may believe. To begin you would need to educate yourself on the steps it takes to change the oil (and the oil filter) and then purchase the materials you need (correct oil, oil pan, filter, special wrench, etc.). After you have bought everything you need, you would then need to change the oil, clean up the mess, and bring the discarded oil to a place where it can be disposed of safely. At this point, you are most likely spending more money and time on it than you would if you had brought it into a shop. *Should you decide to change your oil on your own, please dispose of it properly at a hazardous waste recycling facility. These facilities can be located on Earth911.com.
When you have your oil changed professionally, the risk of something going wrong during the service -or with your car later on- decreases. Auto mechanics spend hours upon hours learning how to get the maintenance done properly the first time, every time. Meaning, that they are not apt to make rookie mistakes like untrained people could. Someone who is not properly versed in the functioning of vehicles runs the risk of using the wrong oil grade, improperly installing the filter, or overlooking a leak- all of which could cause expensive issues down the road.
How Often Should Oil Changes Be Performed?
A general rule of thumb when it comes to oil changes is that it should be done every three months or 3,000 miles. Recommendations specific to your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual. Today, with the availability of high-performance motor oils, many vehicles can make it to the 5,000-mile mark before needing an oil change. However, going beyond that is not typically recommended. Another bonus to a professional oil change is that afterwards, the technician will be able to offer you a more precise estimate of when your next oil change should be. They base this information on things like the condition of your engine and the kind of motor oil applied. Of course, if your oil light is illuminated, you will need to service your vehicle sooner.
For your next oil change, rely on the experts at Meridian Automotive. We provide complete automotive repair in Meridian, Idaho, for most cars, light trucks, and SUV’s. For over 20 years we’ve been Meridian’s auto repair experts. Don’t just trust anyone with your automotive repair needs, trust the experts at Meridian Automotive. Call us today (208) 297-5573 or schedule an appointment online.
