Is it necessary to change the oil in your car?

Is it necessary to change the oil in your car?

Experts say not necessarily. Oil changes are just one of the many minor hassles of car ownership, but they’re crucial to keeping your car in good shape. Furthermore, if you don’t change your oil on time and with the proper products, it could void your car’s warranty.

Where did I get an oil change done?

I had an oil change done (along with brake work) at Firestone about two months ago. I am a regular customer of this store. Last night my car quit on the highway–the oil light came on, accompanied by smoke and the engine coughing and stopping. I immediately coasted to a stop and got the vehicle towed.

How can you tell if someone has changed the oil in your car?

There are a number of ways to check, but not all of them are fool-proof. Pull your dipstick and check the oil at the end with your fingers and using your eyes. If it’s pitch black, its your old oil (unless your car engine is never serviced properly and there’s a lot of sludge and gunk built-up inside the engine).

Why does an oil change take so long?

If you aren’t making long trips at high, steady speeds (like you would on a highway) then your engine isn’t getting hot enough to boil off condensation that accumulates in the system. That can cause oil to break down faster.

Why do I need to change the oil in my car?

It is important to regularly check your oil levels in order to keep your car running smoothly. Engine oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine as well as cleaning, cooling and protecting these parts preventing your engine from seizing up. However, engine oil needs changing regularly as its lubricating properties do not last forever.

Can a check engine light come on after an oil change?

One thing that won’t trigger a check engine light: a recent oil change that was done correctly. Oil changes are essential maintenance for your car but it won’t do anything that could trigger your check engine light to come on. If you notice the light after an oil change, something else is wrong.

When is the best time to change your oil?

Let us simplify it for you. Conservative estimates for oil-change intervals used to be as low as 3000 miles, before significant improvements in fuel-delivery systems, engine materials, manufacturing methods, and oil chemistry. Today, modern engines driven normally stretch intervals to 7500 or even more than 10,000 miles.

When to change synthetic oil in your car?

While some experts suggest doing it in most circumstances, Consumer Reports said in 2017 that, generally, you shouldn’t switch to synthetic if your car doesn’t need it. If you frequently tow heavy loads, synthetic oil can help ease the extra strain on your car’s engine.