Oil Change: Just how often is regular?

To give a little more detail into your regular oil changes, manufacturers recommend changing your oil at recommended intervals depending on your vehicle’s make and model.

Intermediate oil changes are also good practice as oil quality is critical in 0prolonging the lifespan of the vehicle’s engine and components.

However, with modern advancements in the world of auto motoring, some experts argue this number has increased significantly, to anywhere between 10,000- 25,000 miles. At John Delany Motors, we still feel it’s best to air on the side of caution, especially when it comes to driving and keeping you safe (so would recommend a regular oil change).

Of course, also impacting this are your driving patterns, such as:

• The speed at which you mostly travel at
• Distances travelled
• The frequency of your journeys

The importance of a regular oil change

Often overlooked by most drivers, your vehicle’s oil is the blood in the beating heart that drives your engine, throughout every journey you make. It plays the part of many important roles, such as ensuring your car’s overall engine life, fuel efficiency, and performance, thus costing far less in terms of potential future vehicle repairs.   

A research study into the impact of ‘optimal oil change intervals’ showed that the benefits of regular oil changes are much more far-reaching than to the individual vehicle alone. The positive environmental impact is also huge. See it as a way of us doing our bit for the planet!

By changing your vehicle’s oil at least once a year, you’re helping to ensure your car continues running smoothly, for as long as possible, especially in terms of facilitating the lifespan of your engine. The technology used to manufacture oil ensures it is made to safeguard an engine’s moving parts. It achieves this aim by cleaning, lubricating, keeping cool and preventing any possibility of metal-on-metal wear, which would eventually result in engine failure.

The main benefits of a regular oil change

By ensuring you regularly check and change your oil and oil filter, you’re reaping many of the following benefits:

• A thoroughly cleaned engine leads to optimum performance and fewer impurities
• Protection from corrosion and erosion
• Effective lubrication, forming a protective seal among the moving parts
• Acts as a coolant, preventing energy loss
• Fuel efficiency
• Eco-friendly – significantly better for the environment
• Stress-free emissions tests down the line  
• Prolonged engine life.

Signs it’s time for an oil change  

Now you’re more aware of the benefits a regular oil change will bring to you and your vehicle, it’s time to consider how to identify when it’s time for an oil change. The more aware you are of the warning signs, the better.

The main indicators that your oil needs changing are:

Service warning lights or oil quality lights appearing on your dashboard

If you have travelled significantly more than usual, it’s always best to check your oil

Changes in the consistency of your oil (if you are already aware of what it should usually feel and look like)

It is usually too late if you are experiencing unusual knocking-type sounds coming from the engine or notice engine smoke being emitted.

If you encounter any of these issues, feel free to contact us today.

What can happen without regular oil changes?

Without wanting to cause fear or anxiety among drivers, it’s really important to understand what can happen without regular oil changes. As always, prevention is better than cure!

In our experience of working with engines that have been impacted by a lack of regular oil changes, we have found the following can occur:

• The oil will change consistency and eventually solidify, therefore ceasing to work at all
• The oil then becomes abrasive sludge  
• Oil starvation occurs within the moving parts, which leads to seizure
• Heat will no longer be removed from the engine, which could lead to mechanical failure
• Engine parts rapidly begin to shut down and fail

It’s no surprise that once any of the above occur, they can lead to complete engine shutdown. This in turn then results in either a brand-new engine or worse still, the need for a new vehicle altogether.

How to check your car’s oil at home

Your first port of call for assisting with an oil check or change lies within your car owner’s manual, which the manufacturer has designed to be specific and individual to your car. If you’re unsure how to locate your manual, the internet can be a good place to help. Alternatively, contact us and we’ll assist you.

Once you’ve lifted the bonnet, familiarise yourself with the oil dipstick (usually with a yellow or orange handle). getty images can also assist with locating where this is within your car’s bonnet.  Pull the dipstick and have a cloth to hand, ready to wipe it off, to check the oil consistency and colour. It’s worth noting the colour of your oil. If it appears dark brown or black, it’s dirty and needs to be changed.

This check will also ensure you can see the marker, indicating the amount of oil left currently. Note the amount of oil that currently exists. Depending on what the level indicator showed you, re-fill the oil. Be mindful not to over-fill the oil. It doesn’t have to be hitting the high mark to run smoothly and efficiently. Anywhere between the two markers is where you want to aim.

At Delany Motors, we realise this can be a tricky job to undertake, especially if you’re not used to doing it regularly. So, if you’re left unsure, pop in and see us. We’ll happily help you.

Our final word on regular oil changes

We hope this guide to regular oil changes has increased your awareness. At Delany Motors we feel it incredibly important to equip you, our loyal customers, with the knowledge you need to be a responsible, safe driver.

Whether it’s an oil or oil filter question, give us a call. It’s worth knowing that engine repairs and replacements take the first spot in being the most expensive vehicle repairs. With our help, you can continue to avoid this and keep your car running smoothly.