Thursday, July 4, 2013

Best Auto Mechanics Advice - Frequent Motor Oil Changes

By Stephen Ashton


Car and engine manufacturers give recommended oil change intervals of around or between 2,000 to 7500 miles (corresponding to 3,200 to 12,000 km) between oil changes depending upon operating conditions. There are so many variables such as engine load, short trips, speed, prolonged idling and dust that an exact recommendation that fits all vehicles, their climates and environments and driving patterns is virtually impossible.

First, let's establish why it is important to do so. Contaminants, do, accumulate in the oil. Oil is also prone to certain chemical changes like motor oil molecular oxidation as well as additive depletion over miles and kilometers of routine driving conditions. These two reasons alone, prevent it from doing its job of lubrication and an as a coolant.

The longer you drive a car, the more contaminants it accumulates. The increase of these depend on several factors like the mechanical condition of the engine, the owner's driving habits, air cleaner service, and carburetor or electronic fuel injector adjustment. Oil filters must be replaced regularly in order to slow down the deterioration process. To further clarify, oil doesn't wear out but the additives responsible for making it function are the ones that get depleted. New oil and filters will make the engine last longer and maintain the car's good performance. auto maintenance. The respected Canadian auto mechanical expert Kenneth F. Burdyny says so to speak - with years and years getting taxis back on frigid Winnipeg roads & streets. Still it depends whom you ask as to how often to change engine oil and filters. Your local garage mechanic will tell you one thing, your car or truck's owner's manual another - and your local new car dealership - whom wants to get you into a new vehicle via more frequent visits to their auto service center . In the end trust your new car maker's owner's manual in your glove box as your best source of accurate information for your specific vehicle as to the frequency and timing of oil changes. Its your vehicle and reliable transportation that is in the crux. Opinions differ as to whether you must go to a dealer or a third party oil change outlet are recommended or adequate. If you own a high end luxury vehicle perhaps its better to not take a chance of invalidating your warranty or good faith of your auto dealer and their service dept staff. Yet if you own a more standard run of the mill vehicle - such as a Ford 150 pickup truck in the rural outback Manitoba farm regions - whether or not your prefer to have your automotive service completed via an authorized dealer service center in or a convenient fast oil change operation its your preference . Yet one apparently loyal long term Mercedes S.U.V. owner had other ideas after sticker shot sent in. Yet if there is one point to stress when it comes time to engine oil replacement in 2013 its to have your waste oils recycled via a proper and certified automotive engine oil recycling facility. Don't simply think you can "dump" your waste ( and contaminated) product in the sewer or in the bush. Residual left over motor oils are deadly for the environment and nature. They destroy vegetation , they leach into soils and spread over long distances causing bad , deleterious and long standing problems and damage to the environment. Indeed President Obama has set up a commission at the E.P.A. to enact regulation and recommend legislation for this very vital matter.

The American Petroleum Institute says that this change should be done at "regular intervals" and check with the recommendations given in your car's service manual. Usually, there are two types: one for mileage which, in most cars is as around 3,000 miles; and the other one is for time, at around three months. When it's summer time decrease the recommendation by 10% and by winter 20%. For example, in winter the oil must be changed around 2,400 miles. This is the computation for maximum oil-change intervals. It might be a bit costly and inconvenient for some, but you are assured that the car is in good condition when you need it to be. These suggestions should only be used a basis for when you should change the oil. Take it with a grain of salt. If you have an upcoming cross-country trip where you expect to travel around 7,000 miles, it is not practical to have your oil change every 2,700 miles in the summer. Granting that ideal conditions are present like well-paved roads, high speed driving and clean highways, then you can make an exemption. If luck isn't on your side and an encounter with a bad dust storm occurs, good reason will tell you that an oil-drain must be done earlier than usual.

If you find yourself driving regularly in these conditions, you belong to the category of "Super Severe Service". This recommendation is for owners whose cars are constantly exposed to extreme terrain and weather conditions. In this category towing is included. When you tow a trailer in the mountains, or in hot weather change oil in the soonest time possible. For the average motorist, these situations occur rarely. The best time to make that change is when the car is at operating temperature since oil doesn't flow as well in a cool environment. Hot oil allows for the contaminants to be drained easily. All the oil should be removed from the crankcase before it is replaced.




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