Oil change services are an essential part of the overall maintenance of any vehicle. To ensure that your vehicle functions well, you need to get its oiling done on a timely basis. The absence of proper care in this regard can cause issues that might, in turn, have you spending heavily later on.
What is engine oil?
Engine oil is a thick fluid that aids in efficient lubrication of a vehicle’s engine. All kinds of vehicle engines require some kind of oil. The type and thickness of oil will depend on the engine and its year of manufacture. The kinds of oil that are used in contemporary engines are much lighter than those that were used over a decade back, owing to the changes in clearances over time.
Key differences between mineral and synthetic engine oils
Engine oils can be categorized as mineral oils and synthetic oils. Mineral oils are petroleum-based products that are developed from crude oil. The latter is more expensive and usually created in laboratories. The higher cost of synthetic oil is justified by the fact that this category of engine oil is less dependent on natural resources, unlike mineral engine oils.
Synthetic engine oil finds more takers, as it is made using superior-quality base oils and offers more chemical stability. Additionally, these oils do not oxidize or acidify as easily as mineral oils. Mineral oil, also known as conventional engine oil, may break down faster and lose its protective characteristics faster than synthetic oil.
Another important reason behind the growing preference for synthetic oil is that these oils are mostly created keeping their specific uses in mind. This helps in the creation of a product, through a complex process, which has the precise molecular qualities based on its use. Further, these processes make it easier to remove impurities and engineer each of the molecules for customization.
Also, when it comes to synthetic oils, the intervals at which oil change services should happen are much longer as compared to conventional oils. However, several other factors determine how short or long this period is. Some of these include how the vehicle is driven, the driving style, and specific recommendations by the manufacturing company of the vehicle.
Importance of oil change services
Regular oil change services can help increase the utility and purposefulness of engine oils. Here’s how:
- Increases the life of the engine
The oil keeps all the moving parts of an engine from rubbing against each other and protects them with a layer of lubrication. The layer created between these parts by the oil is important for prolonging the life of the engine by avoiding metal-on-metal wear.
- Aids the cooling system
Engine oil plays an important part in the cooling function of the engine. Most cooling functions in a vehicle are taken care of by a dedicated cooling system, but engine oil acts as a coolant and supplies the cooling mechanism in areas where effects of the cooling system are not felt.
- Eliminating debris
The engine oil ensures that debris or any deposit that can potentially damage the engine are removed swiftly.
When should you get an oil change service?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to determining oil change intervals for vehicles. This can vary based on several factors. These days, with the help of top-quality synthetic oils, oil change services are typically needed once after the vehicle has covered 10,000 miles. The ideal way to determine when a vehicle needs oil change services depends on what the manufacturer recommends. One can easily find this information in the user manual. Some vehicle manufacturers may also provide a list of engine oils recommended by them.
However, one needs to be extremely careful when opting for oil. A slight change in the weight of the oil may show hardly any difference but major changes may cause some amount of dysfunction, sluggishness, or reduced fuel economy. Here are some signs that your vehicle needs an oil change service:
- Oil change sticker
Referring to the oil change sticker that may have been put on your vehicle from the previous service is a good place to start with. Most oil change service providers have a practice of placing a clear sticker inside the windshield on the driver’s side, mentioning the next date for changing engine oil. Some mechanics may also mention the type of oil that is being used in the vehicle.
- Oil light
Checking the oil light is one of the simplest ways to know whether your vehicle needs an oil change service. Usually, this light is in the shape of an oil can and comes on, while you are driving, if there is an issue with the engine oil. The oil light comes on for many reasons but the most common one is to indicate issues related to oil pressure. Lower levels of oil in the engine lead to the oil pressure dropping to unsafe levels. The indicator also lights up in this scenario. If you see the oil light blinking while driving, pull over when it’s safe to do so and check the oil levels. The light should ideally be off after you add some oil but if it continues to stay on, then call for roadside assistance to look into the issue.
- Oil change reminder light
Newer vehicles may also have an oil change reminder light in addition to the oil light. This light is designed as a reminder to get oil change services after the vehicle has covered a set number of miles. This is not dependent on oil pressure. The indicator is reset by a mechanic after the oil is changed.
- Appearance of the oil
The appearance of the oil is also a good indicator of whether your vehicle needs an oil change service. Oil that is fresh or new will be gold in color. The shade of gold may vary depending on the weight of the oil. Engine oil that is dark in color usually needs to be changed. You can check this color with a dipstick. However, don’t simply rely on the change in color—it could happen due to many reasons and may not necessarily mean a need for oil change. It is best to conduct an oil analysis or consult a mechanic once you see the oil change color.
- Engine noise
The absence of appropriate amounts of engine oil or the presence of dirty oil may lead to bad lubrication, wherein parts of the engine will end up touching each other. This can result in engine noise. However, it is important to note that engine noise due to less oil or bad engine oil is different from an engine knock, which is primarily an indicator of an imbalanced air-to-fuel ratio. If you experience engine noise in your vehicle, then check the oil level and get it changed at the earliest.
- Changes in the exhaust
If you experience a slight smell in the vehicle’s exhaust system, then it may be time for you to get an oil change service done. While some amount of sooty appearance is normal for the exhaust system in certain vehicles, a bluish exhaust smoke from the tailpipe is a warning sign. In most cases, this smoke is developed due to oil leak, low oil levels, or when the engine oil is also burning with the fuel. Take your vehicle to a mechanic to determine the exact cause and ascertain whether the oil needs to be changed.
- Smell of burnt oil inside the vehicle
During the course of the service, mechanics also check for oil leaks. Even otherwise, if you smell burning oil inside the vehicle, then you might want to get the engine oil checked and replaced if necessary. This is an important sign that should not be ignored. It is a serious indication of oil leakage and can also lead to a fire in the vehicle in some cases.
- Change in mileage
The use of a car for long-distance trips calls for changing the oil before the trip as well as after it. Changing the oil just before the trip is important to ensure that the long hours of use do not hamper the vehicle’s performance. However, even the newest of oils can wear off after long trips, which makes it all the more important to change the oil immediately after such journeys.
This factor should be kept in mind especially if you are driving a used vehicle that has run a lot of miles. The frequency for getting an oil change service will vary with the number of miles driven—it will need to be done often as the miles increase.
- Overheating
There are many reasons behind a vehicle overheating, and low levels of oil is one of the most common factors responsible for this condition. This can happen no matter how well the cooling system is functioning. Low levels of engine oil that lead to overheating can be easily recognized with the help of the temperature gauge. If you see indications of overheating, then halt the driving and wait for the car to cool down. Meanwhile, check for the oil levels.
- Vibrations when idle
The motion of the car with low engine oil is characterized by vibrations even when it is idle. If you experience this, then make sure that you avoid idling until you have got the oil changed in your vehicle.
Why should you get oil change services done regularly?
Some of the benefits of changing engine oil at regular intervals are:
- Protecting the engine from damage
Changing engine oil on time ensures that no or minimal wear and tear is caused to the car’s engine. Less friction between engine parts ensures excellent gas mileage and fuel economy.
- Safeguarding the environment
Dirty engine oil leads to hydrocarbons getting built up inside the engine’s crankcase. They are burnt and released into the air when the car is used. This can be a hindrance when it comes to passing the emissions test. By getting timely oil change services, you ensure that you are doing your bit to protect the environment from harmful emissions.
While driving, if you ever see any kind of indicator that needs you to check the oil level or quality, then make sure you pull over and do the required inspection. Any signs that point towards getting oil change services urgently should be paid heed to. You can call for roadside assistance in such cases.
Take your time to go through the user manual and understand the various other maintenance needs for your vehicle. Keep an eye out for the above-mentioned signs to avoid the premature aging of your car and also save a considerable sum of money from unwanted expensive repairs that may be a result of not changing engine oil on time.
Oil change services are generally inexpensive and some can even be done within an hour or two. Oil change appointments with your mechanic also offer ample opportunities to discuss other issues that you may be facing with your vehicle. You can even change the oil yourself if you’re unable to visit a mechanic.
You have spent your hard-earned money on buying your desired car so you might also want to maintain it well. Certainly, you wouldn’t want to face any operational issue simply because you did not get the oil changed on time.
