Why Is It Important to Change My Engine Oil?
Changing your vehicle's oil is one of the most important things you can do to extend the life of vehicle. During an oil change, the technician will drain out the old motor oil and replace it with new motor oil. The oil filter also gets replaced at the same time.
The main purpose of oil is to lubricate. As oil ages it breaks down it becomes less effective at lubricating. Old oil, low oil pressure and lack of oil can all cause damage to your engine as the moving parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out.
Manufacturer recommended maintenance schedules typically suggest changing your oil every 3,000 -7,000 miles. Factors like driving in cold climates, towing a trailer, or aggressive driving, can make it necessary to change your oil more often. At a minimum oil should be changed twice each year.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye on your pressure gauge and also check the oil level regularly between oil changes. If the gauge shows that the pressure is very low, if the "oil" light comes on or if the dipstick registers below the "safe" level address the situation immediately. You may need to add oil.
If you regularly run low on oil, be sure to report it to your mechanic; you may have a leak or may be burning oil.