You’ve probably heard that you need to change your car’s oil regularly. But how often, and why is it important? Car engines are complex and understanding what goes into them can be difficult, but it’s good to know the basics so your car will last you a long time. Here are some reasons why you should change your oil every 7000 miles.

1. It maintains proper lubrication

An engine has lots of moving parts that need lubrication to prevent excessive wear and tear. Because engines move at high speed, they create heat that wears down the components if there isn’t enough lubrication to avoid friction. If your car is low on oil, doesn’t have the right kind of oil, or if its oil is old and full of impurities, it will put more wear on your engine.

2. It helps to cool engine components

An engine that overheats because of friction can cause a lot of damage to your car and ultimately lead to you needing an expensive engine replacement. If you maintain both the right amount of oil and ensure that it is clean, it will stop the engine from overheating and save you from a large mechanic’s bill.

3. An oil change will remove any sludge or particles

Unfortunately there is no way to save your engine from dirt. The dirt that gets into your oil is one of your engine’s greatest enemies. When you don’t have regular oil changes, the built-up dirt can lead to corrosion and shorten the lifespan of your engine. Over time, the oil will also change to “sludge.” Sludge will slow the engine parts down and hurt its operation. Routine filter and oil changes are essential for removing dirt particles and to decrease the likelihood of sludge in your engine.

4. You’ll get better fuel economy

It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not! Clean oil makes your car more efficient. If you don’t get your oil changed frequently, it can increase the amount of fuel that your engine uses. Routine oil and filter changes can even improve your gas mileage by as much as 1-2% per year. This may not sound like a lot, but depending on how much you drive, this could be worth hundreds over the course of a year.

5. Helps to extend the life of your engine

Routine oil and filter changes will increase the overall lifespan of your engine. It makes it less likely for your engine to overheat, and reduces any excessive wear, tear, and friction. That allows it to work more efficiently and for a longer period of time. Not only that, but having a paper trail showing that you have done regular oil changes can improve the value of your car. 

Oil changes might seem like an extra expense and inconvenience, but they actually save you money in gas mileage and increase the lifespan of your car’s engine. Taking care of your car’s engine with regular oil changes is part of being a car owner, and you can rely on car experts like our team at Warrenton Auto to do those oil changes for you. Book an appointment for an oil change at Warrenton Auto today.