We all understand that we need to have the oil changed in our vehicles periodically. It has become more critical in the last 15 years due to a number of reasons.
What Has Changed?
Government regulated emission standards have become stricter and fuel mileage requirements for new automobiles have increased. Car manufacturers have adapted by changing and improving engine specifications through the following methods:
- Tighter manufacturing clearances on your engine’s internal parts.
- Use of variable camshaft timing, which is hydraulically controlled with engine oil.
- Using smaller engine sizes without losing power through the use of turbo charging and direct port injection.
- Specifying thinner (lower viscosity) oils to reduce the amount of drag inside your engine.
All of these factors boost power and fuel economy. BUT, they put additional stress on your engine oil, using up its effective life more quickly than ever before.
A Little About Oil Viscosity
Back in the old days (not really that long ago), 10w30 weight oil was normal, but today, the use of 0w20 weight oil is much more prevalent. How is oil rated? The “W” stands for “winter,” the number preceding it indicates the oil’s viscosity (or thickness) at low temperatures (hence the W), and the number after it indicates viscosity at higher temperatures, when the engine is running. Therefore, 0w20 weight oil is thinner than 10w30 and theoretically is better suited for a newer engine with tighter tolerances.
The DIRECT Benefits of Routine Oil Changes
- Regular oil changes not only keeps your engine clean, they also improves its performance and efficiency.
- Better Mileage. An efficient engine provides the very best mileage.
- Increases engine longevity
- Eco-Friendly
- Protects Engine
- Keeps engine components cool.
The INDIRECT Benefits of Routine Oil Changes
- When you bring your car to Wolff Autowerks for an oil change, our technicians will inspect your automobile for other issues that affect the quality and safety of your driving experience. A checkup during an oil change can help you or your mechanic notice small issues that you might not otherwise catch. If you don’t catch these issues when they’re small, they can become big, expensive problems.
- Regular oil and filter changes can even help your budget. Not getting a regular oil service means your car will use more oil than it should which adds to your expenses, not to mention using more fuel. Also, without fresh oil and a new filter, you could cause a knock-on effect with other components requiring costly repairs or replacements over time. A great way to avoid this extra spending is by changing your oil and oil filter regularly.
It’s more important than ever to routinely change your oil. In that regard, short drives are harder on the oil than long drives lasting 30 minutes or more. Wolff Autowerks recommends changing your oil twice a year. Early spring and late fall are a nice routine which coincides with swapping summer and winter tires.
