5 Reasons To Change Your Oil Regularly

Every vehicle needs an oil change regularly. One of the first things your mechanic will tell you is that you need to book in for an oil change and tune-up. Advances in engine technology have meant that they perform at an extremely efficient level and have been developed to improve driver enjoyment and more efficient operation.

But with these engine improvements has come a need for greater care and a more acute awareness of the need to change lubricants on a scheduled basis. Every vehicle manufacturer has a different recommended schedule which can range from every 10,000 km to every 20,000 km. But the fact remains that your engines needs are determined by your driving style, the weather, and the area in which you drive the car.

As you would expect, an aggressive driving style will cause more engine stress and cause the lubricants to be consumed at a rapid rate. Cold weather affects the viscosity of oil and this can influence the need to have the oil changed on a different schedule. Dusty or sandy environments will also affect your engine’s performance and the cleanliness of the oil can be affected as well.

All of these factors affect the frequency with which your oil will need to be changed, so there is no single definite rule that you can follow.

You will have to weigh up your circumstances and make a judgement call. Your mechanic will be able to give you expert advice in this regard and will be able to check the oil for you and make a recommendation.

Let’s take a look at our summary of the reasons you should change your oil regularly and what factors will determine how often you should do this.

• Your manufacturer’s recommended intervals are based on ideal driving conditions, so this is the maximum distance you should drive between changes.
• If you drive in dirty, dusty conditions you should check your oil more regularly, top up your oil level at least weekly and change your oil more regularly.
• If you are an aggressive driver or drive in a lot of stop start traffic, or regularly tow heavy loads, you will definitely need to change your oil more regularly than recommended.
• Similarly, making numerous short trips will use oil at a greater rate meaning that you will have to change your oil more often.
• Remember that even if you don’t drive your vehicle very much, your oil can still become contaminated. This contributes to accelerated engine wear and can cause long-term damage.

In summary, it is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to changing your engine oil. The cost of this simple preventative service is minimal compared to the expense you will incur from costly engine repairs which can result from infrequent oil changes.

Check your oil at least once a week and make sure the level is correct. When topping up, always use the highest quality recommended lubricant and make sure you tell your mechanic to do the same.