Learning the Importance of Your Oil Change Anyone will tell you that trouble lies in the paths of those that refuse to get their oil changed on a regular basis. Even your Orlando insurance specialist will say it’s a good idea, considering that expensive consequences lie at the door of those that refuse to heed the warning of regular oil maintenance. If you’re not convinced that it’s all that big of a deal, than pay attention to the following explanation of what your oil does to get a look inside. Start with an understanding of what metal does when placed under pressure.
Why Change the Oil? When two touching pieces of metal are forced to rub against each other, they create friction and heat. One simple pass doesn’t do much to the metal, allowing it to keep its normal shape and consistency. The more you make them rub together, the more friction and heat the two pieces of metal create. If allowed to reach higher temperatures, those two pieces of metal will soon weld together. Every type of metal will do this when temperatures rise. That consequence is unavoidable. That is, unless you add a lubricant to separate the metal pieces, despite the heat. That substance needs to (1) be able to handle the heat of those two moving pieces of metal without burning, and (2) be able to slip through every crack and crevice of the moving parts to completely cover every moving surface. With that understanding, take a look at the makeup of your engine. Your pistons are quickly moving pieces of metal rubbing against itself, causing friction and heat.
The Roll of Oil The only thing that keeps those moving parts from welding together is the oil you put in your car. Engine oil has the consistency and the lubrication power to separate the moving parts enough to keep them from welding together. Not only that, but it’s set into a circulatory system that will transfer the heat from the engine so that it can cool down while running for long periods of time. The heat transfers into the oil.
The oil slips out of the engine and into hoses that transport it to the radiator. The radiator cools down the oil before sending it back into the engine for lubrication. So not only does your oil lubricate, but it keeps your engine cool. So what’s the big deal? You already have oil doing that in the engine. Why does even your Orlando insurance specialist still insist that you change it? There are two reasons for this. For one, nothing lasts forever. Even your oil can only take so much. After about 3-5,000 miles (depending on your oil), the chemical makeup begins to change, making it less effective as both a lubricant and a coolant. The longer you run it through your system past this point, the worse it gets, meaning that you risk welding your engine together. Change your oil to avoid this. The other reason is that even despite the oil, chips and shavings come off from the friction of metal on metal in the engine. When these chips build up around your oil filter, they slow your oils ability to reach the engine. The less oil reaching your engine, the more chances you have of permanently injuring your engine. And these things aren’t cheap to replace (usually about $2-3,000 minimum for parts and labor). So listen to your friends, family members, mechanics, and yes, even your Orlando insurance specialist. Stop fighting it and change your oil regularly and keep up the integrity of your engine.