Oil Changes: Why They Are Necessary
Posted on: 6 January 2017
Most teens are taught by parents or driver's ed instructors that oil changes are necessary for the vehicles they drive. However, what you may never have been taught or told is why they are necessary. It is not just about keeping the car running either. If your vehicle has not had an oil change for some time and you are thinking "Why bother?", here are the reasons why you need to get right on that and get the oil changed.
Oil Helps Lubricate Moving Engine Parts and Keeps Them Moving With Less Friction
Oil lubricates the pistons within the engine. These metal components within the engine can be severely damaged if you operate the vehicle without effective lubrication. Without the oil to lubricate these parts, the engine would heat up faster from the friction of metal against metal, then overheat and possibly combust or completely lock up and refuse to move. This is the primary reason for getting the oil changed regularly in your vehicle.
The Engine Burns Oil and Could Ignite with Burnt Oil
Now imagine that there are residual bits of old oil inside the engine of your vehicle. As your engine strives to move without friction, it catches these bits of burnt, crusty oil and tries to rev with them. With just the right amount of friction, this used, burned oil residue can ignite. If you have never seen an engine on fire, be glad for it. It is an out-of-control situation that can cause untold damage to the vehicle, to everything in the vehicle, and everything near the burning vehicle. All of that is easily avoided with an engine flush and regular oil changes.
Oil Changes Extend the Life of Your Engine
Ultimately, oil changes extend the life of your engine. While you may view them as part of the usual maintenance for your vehicle, they are clearly so much more than that. Considering that the price of placing a new engine in your vehicle (should it survive an engine fire!) is as much as purchasing a late-model used vehicle, it is something to consider alongside the thought of avoiding an overdue oil change. Since most oil changes are fairly inexpensive, that small expense beats the price of a new engine and the labor that would be charged to remove the old one and install the new one.
For more information on oil changes, contact a company like PDR Automotive Inc.
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