Everybody knows that changing engine oil is important – but why is it? We will talk about four reasons, only one of them being the engine itself. The oil lubricates the engine, allowing moving parts to function smoothly with minimal friction. As the engine oil gets older, the combination of age, heat, mechanical work, and environmental factors causes engine oil to be less effective at protecting the engine.
So what happens to the engine oil? Engine oil’s chemical properties degrade – age, repeated heating and cooling, and oxidation cause detergents that clean the engine surfaces, and dispersants that cause debris to be suspended in the oil, to break down. The oil becomes thicker, highly acidic, and does not create effectively a protective film on the metal components.
On top of the chemical factors, there are mechanical problems caused by the old engine oil. As it ages, it picks up microscopic debris – normally they are caught on the oil filter, but once the filter is saturated, the debris flow with the engine oil throughout the engine causing premature wear. This increased internal friction not only wears out engine parts at an accelerated pace, but also causes decrease in performance and increase in fuel consumption.
What other value can you get from engine oil replacement? In addition to the new engine oil and new oil filter that protect the engine, regular visits to our Berkeley auto repair shop provide two additional benefits. One of them is tire rotation – in order for tires to wear evenly (and thus to last longer), they need to be regularly rotated – combining tire rotation with an oil change takes care of two important maintenance items in one visit. BTW: Did you read the fine print when buying new tires? Tire manufacturers require regular tire rotation to keep tire warranty in force.
The third benefit of regular oil changes has to do with the overall condition of your vehicle. As our nationally ASE certified mechanics work on your vehicle, they get an opportunity to notice and investigate any developing problems – regular visits allow us to catch these problems early, before they develop into a full blown breakdown or a major repair.
Fourth benefit – we check and adjust tire pressure. Why does it matter? Because underinflated tires wear out faster, may cause handling problems, and cause increased fuel consumption – as a matter of fact, Firestone did a study and concluded that US drivers waste $18 billion per year because of underinflated tires, and that's just on fuel. Nobody has estimated the cost of accelerated tire wear due to underinflation.
Whenever you bring your vehicle to Oceanworks, it will be in the hands of highly skilled professionals, and if your vehicle indicates that repairs are needed, all repairs are backed by our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. So next time your vehicle is due for an oil change, tire rotation, or a pre-trip checkup, call our Berkeley auto repair shop to make an appointment.