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How Often Should You Change Your Oil?-featured-image

How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

The modern combustion engine is a bustling hive of moving parts, working together to create power. As each part moves, friction is created, which develops heat. To keep those pistons, cylinder head hardware, and other components cool, motor oil is added to serve as a lubricant. Over time the oil will begin to break down and lose its ability to protect moving parts.

So – how often should you change your oil? The answer is simple – follow your manufacturer's guidelines. There are several reasons why it is crucial to change your car's oil and filter as directed by the automaker of your daily driver. In the information below, we will provide a roadmap that will answer how often to change oil and when to change oil.

Oil Change Frequency

It is quite possible that you have had several mechanics give you varying opinions about oil change frequency. Some recommend having your vehicle’s engine oil replaced every 3,000 miles, and others suggest 5,000 miles as their interval of choice.

So – who is right?

The answer is – none of them. Engine oil changes should always be completed as directed by the manufacturer of your specific make and model. While most manufacturers recommend oil changes between 3,000 to 5,000 miles, the type of engine oil used, along with driving habits can also impact the interval.

For example – a conventional oil (which is derived directly from crude oil) will dilute quicker than synthetic oil. As such, if you have a vehicle that uses conventional oil, it is important to stick with that 3,000 to 5,000 guidelines. A full synthetic oil can be stretched to 7,500 miles in many cases.

*QUIKER TIP – The owner’s manual for both older and newer cars will have a section that outlines the recommended routine maintenance schedule – including engine oil. If you do not have an owner’s manual, a quick phone call to your local dealership service department will resolve this issue.

How Long Does an Oil Change Take?

An engine oil change is one of the quickest jobs for a professional mobile mechanic to complete. The process is quite simple. The mechanic will begin by preparing the vehicle for the oil service. Some vehicles need to be raised on jack stands or driven on a ramp. This gives the mechanic plenty of space to work underneath the vehicle in a safe manner.

Once the vehicle is prepped, the mechanic will start by draining the old oil from the engine by removing the plug located on the bottom of the oil pan. As the oil drains into a safe container, the mechanic will also remove the engine oil filter.

That's the type of service the typical mobile mechanic offers. Quiker prescribes to a technically-advanced solution. Oil evacuation is a revolutionary technology that helps to reduce oil change time, ensures a complete oil removal process, extends engine life expectancy, can improve operational efficiency, and provides a leak-free experience.

Essentially, as opposed to letting oil and contaminated oil slowly drip from the oil pan, oil evacuation uses vacuum systems to fully remove old oil from the engine - not just the pan. This ensures when fresh oil and a filter is replaced, the lubrication system is not contaminated with older and less-efficient lubricants.

When our mobile mechanics are finished with the oil change, they will start the vehicle, check the engine oil level, and ensure your vehicle is ready for daily operation.

Average Oil Change Time

The average time needed to complete an oil change on passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs, is less than one hour. However, there are some variables that may extend that time.

Size of the Vehicle Engine: It is understood that a larger engine has more internal space, bigger moving parts, and thus – a need for more oil. This will extend the time needed to drain and fill the engine with fresh oil.

Difficulty to Set-Up: Sometimes the location of the oil change can impact the time needed to complete the job. Safety is always the top priority of professional mobile mechanics – so they may need additional time to prepare the vehicle for the oil change.

What Happens if You Do Not Change Your Oil?

As an engine burns fuel, heat is created. It is this heat, caused by the explosion of fuel in the combustion chamber, and the friction of moving metallic parts that creates horsepower. , the oil (which is a lubricant) will begin to mix with fuel (which is a natural solvent). These two chemicals are designed to fight each other. As a result, the longer your oil is inside your engine, the thinner it becomes.

The technical term for this situation is oil dilution. Depending on driving conditions, oil dilution can significantly reduce the oil life, and thus, lead to frequent oil changes, or possible engine damage. However, there are a few common side effects that will occur the longer you wait to change your engine oil.

Reduced Fuel Economy

An engine runs best when all moving parts are properly lubricated. When you do not change the oil as recommended, the oil will start to bind and combine with carbon deposits left from unburned fuel. This creates “engine sludge” – which results in causing more drag on moving parts. The result is the engine must work harder to produce the same amount of power – resulting in more fuel being consumed.

Poor Emissions Quality

As explained above, the longer you leave oil inside the engine, the more fuel and sludge combined. This can also impact the engine’s ability to efficiently burn fuel. Thin oil (or oil that is not contaminated with debris or carbon deposits) helps fuel inside the combustion chamber to burn efficiently. However, if the oil is thicker – that fuel will not burn as well. The direct result is not only poor fuel economy but more carbon deposits or smog being emitted from your exhaust system.

Increase in Engine Damage

Oil is the lifeblood of any combustion engine. As you replace it as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, it helps to keep all moving parts cooler as the engine operates. When metallic parts are kept cool – they last longer, mainly due to improved lubricity and reduced friction.

Quiker’s Oil Change Services

Engine oil and filter change are a simple, yet critical routine maintenance service that keeps your car, truck, or SUV running strong and efficient. The time spent trying to find an oil change mechanic near you or setting up an appointment at the dealership is more trouble than helpful.

Quiker has simplified the process of getting your vehicle’s engine oil and filter changes. Simply visit our website, click the button for oil change service, and set up an appointment that fits your busy schedule. We’ll come to you. Our pricing is flat-fee based – meaning that we charge the same for oil changes regardless of the type of vehicle you have.

Our technicians only use premium grade Shell/Pennzoil products, and OEM certified replacement oil filters. This ensures your vehicle receives the right lubricants that are recommended by the factory. Not only does this help protect your engine, but it also ensures your vehicle’s maintenance records follow manufacturer standards.

FAQs

Is it OK to change oil every 10000 miles?

This is not recommended. There are very few situations where changing engine oil every 10,000 miles is generally accepted. Typically, it is only on turbocharged diesel engines that use a special synthetic engine oil that is formulated with additives that help improve higher mileage standards. The general rule of thumb is to replace your car's engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

How long can full synthetic oil last?

Fully synthetic oil is lab created to disperse friction and resist dilution when mixed with solvent-based fuels. As a result, many full synthetic oils can last for 5,000 to 7,500 miles under certain circumstances. However, it's important to follow your manufacturer's guidelines – and replace the engine oil (even if it is full synthetic) as directed.

Does oil go bad if you do not drive?

While today's modern engine is more advanced than older cars, they still have issues keeping old oil fresh when not in use. When engine oil is sitting at the bottom of your oil pan, fuel deposits, engine coolant, carbon, and other contaminants can cause the engine oil to ‘age’ – even while the engine is not in use. 

A general DIY rule of thumb is to replace the engine oil every calendar year (when the vehicle does not drive more than 5,000 miles per year). This will ensure your engine is properly lubricated at start-up and engine wear is reduced. 

Should you change your oil every 3 months?

Not necessarily. If you drive your vehicle frequently, but not enough to build up 3,000 to 5,000 miles in three months, it is OK to wait till you reach that mark. As noted above, just make sure to replace the engine oil every year.

Is 5000 miles over oil change bad?

It is not recommended. Depending on the type of engine oil you use, you can extend oil change intervals by a few hundred miles. But today’s vehicle manufacturers are strict when it comes to warranty claims. And one of the first things they will check, if there is internal engine damage, is the frequency of your engine oil and filter changes.

 

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