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The Ins and Outs of Oil Changes

Last Updated March 25, 2020

Do you know how hard the oil in your vehicle works to keep the car going? Most of us know the basic job it does, but other than lubricating the engine's internal parts what else does oil do for your car? Lubricating the engine means that the parts create less friction as they move past each other. This helps to control the heat in the engine which can damage the motor if the temperature exceeds the normal operating level. Motor oil also cleans the engine as it picks up bits of dust or dirt that could form into sludge.

Oil Changes

How often do you change the oil in your car? Do you follow the manufacturer's recommendation or do you wait for your garage to tell you when it needs to happen? It's better if you have a general idea of how often oil needs changing. The standard advice for years was that you should change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles but modern motors don't need that type of attention. You should change it every 10,000 miles in mild conditions and 5,000 miles if you drive in severe weather conditions.

Why does oil need changing? The process removes the old oil and replaces it with new oil for several reasons, the most important being that the old oil has worn out and the additives within it have broken down which causes oxidation that leads to sludge build up. Ultimately, the old oil isn't as effective as it should be. This means that it won't be cooling the engine and removing dirt particles from it as efficiently as it should.

How Much Is an Oil Change?

The price varies from place to place but a quick look at a pricing data site like Angie's List shows us that the average basic oil change price across America is $46. The minimum price is $25 and $50 is the highest price when conventional oil is used. If you're changing synthetic oil, the average prices rise to between $45 and $70. You can decide to change the oil yourself at home if you want to save money. It's not a difficult job but it is a dirty one.

Changing Oil at Home

To change your oil in your own garage you'll need a container to catch the old oil, a new oil filter, new engine oil and an oil filter gasket. You'll need rags, safety glasses and a toolset to carry out the job. You'll need to lift the car up to get under it. When you're under the vehicle locate the oil plug and remove it. Now clean the drain plug and the crank off the oil filter, making sure that the rubber gasket comes with it. Now install the new filter and wait until the oil drain becomes a trickle. Now install the gasket on the plug and tighten it to finish your work underneath the car. You should now open the engine bay and add fresh oil until the oil light goes out. Your last job is to take the old oil to your local recycling center.

Oil Change Coupons

Getting a coupon from an oil manufacturer can be the cheapest way of buying new oil or getting an oil change. You'll find coupons on oil company websites that encourage you to use their brand, and some auto repair shop also give money off if you use a specific oil brand and have your oil changed with them. An oil change with synthetic oil is more expensive than with standard oil so finding a coupon will help lower the cost.

Synthetic or Conventional Oil

Part of the reason that conventional wisdom now says you can wait 10,000 miles between oil changes is due to the advances made with oil. Synthetic oils are designed to do the job better than standard oil. They cost a little more but the extra dollars are worth it. Using synthetic oil is recommended because it works more efficiently than mineral-based oil. You get less engine wear at start-up and oil degradation is less too. Synthetic oil is thinner and resists temperature better so it lasts longer as well.

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