Everyone knows oil changes are important. If you’ve never gone about changing the oil in a car, however, you may have some questions about how it’s done—and why it’s so important.
We want to answer those questions here for our Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, Maine, readers. Learn more about oil changes from our team at Ira Honda – Saco!
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The answer to this question varies depending on the car that you drive. We recommend you check your vehicle owner’s manual for the ideal interval and the best oil to use.
In times past, cars needed oil changes more frequently than they do today. Nowadays, many vehicles use synthetic motor oil instead of conventional motor oil. The synthetic stuff tends to last longer and resist extreme temperatures better than conventional oil.
So, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 7,500 miles or six months, whichever comes first. If your car uses conventional oil, it’s best not to exceed 5,000 miles or six months between oil changes.
You never want to neglect your oil changes. Motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It keeps the metal parts inside well lubricated, so they run smoothly.
As engine oil breaks down over time, it becomes less effective. Gradually, the metal parts will begin to grind together and the resulting friction will cause excessive wear and tear. This engine damage can be costly to repair.
In fact, this friction may cause your engine to overheat—a dangerous situation that could require an engine rebuild. You’ll save on costs and drive safer in the long run simply by having your vehicle’s engine oil changed on schedule.
Changing the oil in a car is a relatively simple process, although it does involve jacking up your car and working underneath it. If you’re uncomfortable with this concept, you can schedule an oil change at a service center like ours and let certified professionals handle the work.
If you choose to do it yourself, here’s how the process will unfold:
Now that you know more about changing the oil in a car, you understand how important it is and how often you need to do it. For drivers near Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, ME, who don’t want to change their vehicle’s oil themselves, our service center is here to help.
Book your oil change service at Ira Honda – Saco and let our technicians get to work!