WHY ARE OIL CHANGES IMPORTANT?

Oil changes are the most common type of regular maintenance. Almost everyone who owns a vehicle knows that they need to have their oil changed regularly, but not everyone knows why the service is so important. The team here at Honor Buick GMC wants you to understand the importance of this vital service, and why neglecting to change your oil could be catastrophic for your engine.

Motor oil lubricates the moving components inside your engine, from the crankshaft to the camshafts, and everything in between. It reduces wear and friction on the metal components that have very specific tolerances. It also cleans your engine, removing the debris, carbon, and sludge that build up over time, by trapping the contaminants in the oil. However, as the oil cleans and lubricates your engine it becomes less effective because it’s dirty. The dirtier the oil, the more difficult it is for your car to perform the way you expect it to.
It seems easy to let an oil change slide. Is it really that urgent? The truth is, it is that urgent. Dirty oil can burn off, meaning you won’t have enough oil in your engine to properly lubricate the internals, which will lead to major engine failure. It can also damage the seals inside of your engine, leading to costly repairs. As your engine heats up and cools down the oil goes through thermal breakdown, which decreases the viscosity of the oil. The result is that instead of the moving joints operating smoothly, they’ll rub against each other, causing wear and tear.

A quick look at your engine oil’s dipstick can tell you a lot about the health of your engine:

• Honey-colored oil: this oil is fresh and free of debris
• Dark Brown oil: it may be time for an oil change
• Gritty texture: oil may contain dirt or small pieces of metal
• Foamy, grey, or mixed with coolant: possible head gasket failure

If your oil looks dirty, it may be time to schedule an oil change. Don’t wait until it’s too late. The service team here at Honor Buick GMC can choose the oil weight that works best for your car and climate, as well as make sure there are no signs of trouble.