When It Pays To Have An Oil Change

The engine of your car is the heart of the vehicle. It would make sense that you should have maintenance done on it, to keep it running at its best. One of the most honest services you can have done routinely is to have an oil change. An oil change service can be performed for many different reasons. The oil change will consist of draining all the old oil out from the pan and substituting the oil filter with a new one. Aside from having this routine maintenance done, what are some other signs that it would be beneficial to have an oil change?

The Oil Is Black

When you put fresh oil into a vehicle, it will be a light brownish color. The longer you go between oil changes the engine oil will start to darken. When oil gets to the black state, it is not benefiting your vehicle’s engine at that point. You will be able to tell the color of your oil just by checking the end of the dipstick.

The Oil Filter Will Become Full

The reason an oil change will be necessary is to change the oil filter out. The job of the screen is to stop any particles that are not healthy for your engine from being circulated. Over time the filer can fill or possibly become clogged. It will allow for those particles to escape. Once this happens, you could be putting your motor at risk.

Engine Becomes Loud

If you are used to having a quiet motor, then this one will be an easy sign to spot. Over time, and the longer between oil changes, the engine will develop a sound that is much louder as it is running. A lack of lubrication mostly causes it. If you were to think about what metal on metal was to sound like, that is what is going on under your hood. It is important to have oil put in as soon as you notice your engine making a different sound.

A Check Engine Light Appears

Sure it’s one thing to a few miles over when you are due for an oil change, but ultimately forgetting to have the service done for thousands of miles can hurt your engine badly. If you go too long, a check engine light will appear, and this spells issues, especially in a variable valve timing car. The bonus to getting an oil change, the light will be gone.

Oil Changes Can Spot Larger Problems

Going back to the engine gets the louder problem, one of the reasons an oil change can be beneficial at that time is to spot any possible damage that may have happened. When metal on metal happens in an issue, metal flakes will become present in the oil. An oil change will be able to determine if you have large particles present. If there are significant chunks of metal found, it could spell disaster, but the cost of a rebuild would be cheaper than a whole engine replacement.

Conclusion

Oil changes are the most critical maintenance item you should not put off. Cars now are built to go 5,000 miles or more between them. Oil changes can solve many of these indicated problems and will help your engine last much longer.

How Often Should You Oil Change Your Car?

How often you should change the oil in your car will depend on the make and model of the car, how the car is, and what type of oil is put in the car’s engine.

You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on what type of oil you use.

If you prefer to take your car to a shop to have the oil changed; stop by a BMW Service Rocklin shop.

What will you need to do an oil change?

Here are the things you will need in order to do the oil change yourself;

  • An oil drain pan; these can be found in any automotive parts store
  • A few rags; in case you spill the oil
  • The correct wrench or socket
  • Safety glasses to protect your eyes from oil, dirt, rust, and other debris that could fall from the bottom of the car
  • Oil filter: these come in different shapes and size as well as different qualities so make sure you get the correct one for your auto; some oil filters are only good for 3000 miles other one are good for 5000 miles
  • Oil; check your owner’s manual/guide to see how many quarts are required and what weight of oil should be used 10W40 10W30 etc.
  • A jack and jack stands as well as wheel blocks

Step by step guide for changing oil in your car.

If you change the oil yourself make sure you have everything gathered together before draining oil from your car.

Step one: The first step is to put the emergency brake on, block the back wheels with something like a large concrete block, then jack the front up and place a jack stand under each side. This will allow you to have room to get under the car to the oil pan of the vehicle.

Step two: using the wrench or socket loosen the drain plug and allow the oil to drain. Also remove the used oil filter, before placing the new filter on car dip your gloved finger into some fresh auto oil and gently rub it around the gasket “oh ring” on the filter. Hand-tighten the filter, do not over tighten.

Step three: Replace the drain plug, and fill the auto engine with oil. Make sure there are no drips or leaks before taking the vehicle off the jack stands and starting the engine.

Now if this sounds like it might be too intense or you do not have time you can always come by BMW Service for an oil change.

Why oil changes are important?

The reason you need to do oil changes on timed intervals of 3000 or 5000 miles depending on the owner’s guide is to make sure your engine runs well and last a long time.

It is also good for the resale price if you have your records to show you maintained the engine.

If you are in the area, swing by a Auburn BMW service shop to take care of that oil change.