We know, we know – you’re tired of hearing us at Xpress Lube tell you over and over to maintain a regular oil change schedule. But, really, we wouldn’t keep emphasizing “oil change” if it weren’t so very important. To boil it down to the basic truth about why your vehicle needs a regular oil change, we quote Click and Clack, the Tappit brothers from Car Talk, “Oil serves many crucial functions and clean oil performs those functions better than dirty oil.” Period. So simple.

The science of an oil change is this: oil experiences a thermal breakdown as it’s subjected to an engine’s extremely high operating temperature. This breakdown limits its ability to effectively grease the parts it is supposed to be lubricating. When this happens, those parts begin to rub against each other and grind each other down. So, without a regular oil change, your engine won’t last as long as it was designed to function.

In addition to that, oil contains additives that neutralize acids – yes, really! And, as your vehicle’s oil gets older, these additives age out and become less effective at doing their jobs. An oil change provides fresh additives that keep up the good work.

Also, oil absorbs water, dust and certain byproducts that are produced by the combustion process and holds on to them. This protects the engine, of course, but after a while the oil just can’t absorb any more of these things. When that happens, those foreign particles get into the engine and cause corrosion. An oil change injects clean oil into the system to start the process all over again.

Check your vehicle’s owners’ manual for recommended intervals between each oil change. In years gone by, manufacturers used to say every 3,000 miles was the best timeframe, and some people still stick to that schedule. Most professional mechanics today agree that an average of 5,000 miles is about right for most vehicles. However, the age and condition of your vehicle, the way you drive it, the climate and road conditions where you drive and other factors can affect your optimum periods between each oil change.

• Do you habitually make jackrabbit starts or rely on heavy acceleration or high speeds?
• Do you drive mostly in an extremely hot or extremely cold weather?
• Do you drive often along dirt or gravel roads?
• Do you frequently haul heavy loads?
• Is your engine old and does it burn oil?

If any of these apply to you, come in and talk to us about your own vehicle’s best schedule.

Xpress Lube is a full-service auto repair and maintenance shop, so we can also help you with tire services, transmission repair, radiator flush and fills, brake services, North Carolina state inspections, coolant, fuel injection services, general car care, auto maintenance, and repairs. Our hours are 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 7:30 am to 4:30 pm on Saturdays. We look forward to seeing you!