Importance of Oil Changes

Courtesy of Ehow

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Oil changes are an important part of a regular vehicle maintenance program. Engine oil is responsible for carrying out a number of important engine-related duties, and regular oil changes ensure that a vehicle has a constant supply of clean, fresh oil.

 

1. Reduce Engine Friction

   • As oil ages and becomes dirty, it loses its friction-reducing capabilities, which increases wear within an engine. Changing oil regularly ensures that engine friction is kept at a minimum by replacing old, degraded oil with new, clean oil.

   Reduce Engine Operating Temperatures

   • By helping to reduce engine friction, engine oil naturally results in a decrease in engine operating temperatures. Regular oil changes ensure that a vehicle's engine has a steady supply of clean engine oil that is better able to flow and absorb engine-related heat, which reduces engine operating temperatures.

   Increase Engine Lubrication

   • Proper engine lubrication is vital to ensure the health and longevity of a vehicle's engine; all internal engine parts require a thick coating of oil to function properly.

   Remove Engine Sludge

   • Regular oil changes help to prevent engine sludge from forming and help to remove sludge from a vehicle's engine once it has formed.

   Remove Engine Wear Particles

   • Engine wear particles develop naturally as the result of normal engine operation. Small pieces of metal flake off from engine mechanical parts and get picked up by circulating engine oil. Old engine oil can get overloaded with wear particulate and cause excessive wear particles to build up within an engine and cause damage.