Why Is Oil So Important?
Your oil is arguably the most important fluid in your entire vehicle, as your engine would grind to a halt if it didn’t have any oil inside of it. While your oil’s main job is to lubricate your engine, it actually performs a few different functions. Your oil forms a seal between important parts like your cylinder walls and your rings, and it also helps to reduce heat build-up. Your engine gets dangerously hot when it’s running, to the point that it can actually damage itself. Without the help of your radiator and your oil, you wouldn’t be on the road for very long. As oil courses through your vehicle, it helps to dissipate the heat, which translates to a healthier engine and better performance. If you live close to Louisburg, Paola, or Osawatomie, and your engine is running low on oil, then you can stop by our service department at Victory Chevrolet GMC today.
How Do I Know When to Change My Oil?
Your oil change is your most frequent and important service, but if you don’t know when you need it, you might not be sure when to schedule your appointment. There are a few different ways to check your car’s oil, with the easiest being to look for a sticker. If your car has been serviced in the past, then there’s a good chance that a mechanic left a sticker denoting when you’ll need your next oil change. It should have both a mileage marker and a date to go off of. If you don’t have a sticker though, there’s still one easy way to check. You’re going to want to pop the hood and look for your dipstick. Once you have it, you’re going to need to wipe it down before checking your oil. You should take the time to check both the color and the level.
Where Can I Change My Oil?
The longer your oil sits in your engine, the more contaminated it’s going to become. While your car has systems that aim to reduce this contamination, like your oil filter, they aren’t perfect. Your oil is also going to naturally darken over time as it picks up soot and goes through heat cycles. This is why old oil tends to be dark black while a fresh batch of oil is usually amber in color. It’s also why you need to change your oil so frequently. On the bright side, once you have fresh oil coursing through your engine, you should be alright for another few thousand miles. While this service can be inconvenient at times, it’s part of what helps your engine last.
