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What does it mean when your car has an oil change?

What does it mean when your car has an oil change?

What Those Dashboard Lights Mean. It’s best to keep track of the miles you drive between oil changes, though some cars make this easier with a dash indicator that tells you it’s time to head to the shop, as part of what is called an oil life monitoring system.

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.

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.

How does winter grade oil reduce engine wear?

Rich fuel mixtures wash lubrication from the cylinder walls. Thick oil doesn’t spray onto moving parts as easily, so using a winter grade oil will help reduce engine wear. When the engine is first started, the oil pump forces oil into the oil passages and through the oil filter.

What Those Dashboard Lights Mean. It’s best to keep track of the miles you drive between oil changes, though some cars make this easier with a dash indicator that tells you it’s time to head to the shop, as part of what is called an oil life monitoring system.

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.

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.

Why does my car have an oil pressure light?

If your car has an oil life monitoring system, note that this light is different than your oil pressure light, which illuminates on your dash if your car’s oil isn’t flowing properly due to low level, a failing oil pump, a leak in the system or some other issue.

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Ruth Doyle