If you’re like most car owners, you might not think about engine oil too much, until you realize you’re overdue for an oil change. So, what do you know about oil and how important it is? Miller Auto Care has some information that can help you.
Why Is Oil So Important?
Oil has several incredibly important jobs in your car’s engine. The first is to lubricate all the moving parts and keep them from becoming damaged by friction. The second is to sweep up and collect any dirt, debris, and even metal shavings from the engine. That all ends up in the oil filter, ideally. The third involves helping your car’s engine to stay as cool as possible while it’s running. Those are some pretty hefty tasks to check off the list.
Types of Oil
Your car’s manufacturer might get really specific about what types of oil they recommend for your car’s engine. Some manufacturers only recommend synthetic, others are a lot more flexible. The best information about your car’s specific needs is always found in the owner’s manual, so make sure that you start there.
How Often to Change Oil
Another tidbit you’ll find in the owner’s manual is information about how often you should be getting your car’s oil changed. Most manufacturers recommend anywhere from 3,000 miles up to even 10,000 miles. There can be a lot of different reasons for that, sometimes going back to the type of oil you’re using. But it’s important that you know what the target is.
Checking Your Own Oil
If you’re doing all the right things, you never have to check your car’s oil, right? That’s not necessarily true. You should check your car’s oil simply so that you know what’s going on with it. The oil levels could be low, for instance, or there might be more dirt in the oil than there should be. All of these issues are signs that something isn’t right and the sooner you spot a problem, the sooner you can get it corrected, which helps to protect the life of your car.
We’re always happy to help out with engine oil concerns or anything else troubling your car. Give us a call today at Miller Auto Care in Medford, OR to set up an appointment. We’ll let you know exactly what your car needs and get you safely back on the road again in no time.