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Changing the Oil in a Car


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!


 

 


Oil Change Due

How Often Do You Need To Change the Oil in Your Car?

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.


What Would Happen if You Never Changed the Oil in Your Car?

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.


How to Change Car Oil

How To Change Your Oil

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:

  1. Jack up the car and secure it with jack stands. NEVER work under a car that is only supported by a car jack. Be sure the jack stands are securely in place.
  2. Put an oil drain pan in place and remove the drain plug. Remember, most cars have a gallon or more of oil inside them, so be sure your drain pan or bucket can hold it.
  3. Remove the oil filter. Loosen it first and allow the oil to drain into the pan. When the oil flow subsides, you can finish removing the filter.
  4. Replace the drain plug and screw in a new filter. You’ll want to coat the rubber gasket of the filter with oil—just a dab on your finger—before you screw it in.
  5. Fill up the oil and check the oil level with the dipstick. Be sure to check for leaks, too, when you do this.

Schedule Your Oil Change Today

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!


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754 Portland Road, Saco, ME, 04072
Ira Honda Saco 43.525837, -70.428461.