H.J. is always on about how important regular oil and filter changes are. Can anyone explain why this is and what the main benefits are for this expense.
Chris.
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Chris, Oil is both a coolant and lubricant, as as such is the life blood of an engine. It carries dirt around the engine through the filter to clean it, but filters are not perfect. Eventually it gets dirty, and dirt will cause premature wear as it is abrasive. Every engine will have a little blow by, and as a consequence water and petrol will find its way into the oil to dilute it, thus reducing its effectiveness. Frequent oil changes will reward you with long engine life, ultimately better fuel economy, and that warm glow you get from doing something good!
Regards
Mike
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Chris
There are the points made by Mike plus the oil disolves some of the combustion gases in it which make the oil more acidic as time passes and thus degrade the oil and can start to attack the engine. As it thins through degradatio it also becomes less effective as a lubricant.
Its not that expensive and worth it in the long run so go on and get your hands dirty!! You know you want to!
Matt
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What everyone says is true but.....I have a 1987 Saab 9000i (non-turbo) which is coming up to its 15th birthday, it has done 195,000 miles & the oil has only ever been changed every 12000 miles. Apart from the head gasket & water pump, it is mechanically original (including the timing gear). However, I have always ensured that a genuine Saab oil filter is used, and now use Castrol Magnatec synthetic oil. It is hardly ever used on short journeys, usually 20 miles every time it is started, and I don't treat the poor old thing very sympathetically! She still does 35mpg, and runs beautifully.
The moral is, I think there is more to it than just changing the oil frequently. Simple equation - qood quality materials, long journeys & properly warmed up, you can get away with longer intervals, short journeys would show the benefits of a more frequent change.
I have to admit that I keep making good resolutions to do it every 6000, but I never seem to get round to it!
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No reason to change modern synthetics can go far farther upto 50000mls before detergant and additives start to break down. As you rightly say a good oil filter is more essential than the oil itself .Also when you see the way some peole drive ,hard accelerating when cold ,traffic light Gran Prix merchants then its no wonder cars suffer premature wear.Gentle driving will get you there just as quick with better economy longer tyre life and longer mechanical life.I live in the east of Germany and regulary travel to Rotterdam and back and having had many different vehicles from Porshe to Chevy Z28 down to a escort van the quickest I have made this journey is by my Explorer and the second fastest was by the Escort 1100cc van
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It only benifits the person you sell the car to in my experience , run the car for four years clock up to 50k , service at man' recommended intervals (from new).I have NEVER had any problems and always get good economy/ reliability
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Americans are horrified at the thought of leaving the same oil and filter in the engine for more than 5,000 miles. But then they can get a 'lube job' almost as easily as buying gas. The Cadillac Northstar V8 may have 100,000 mile service intervals. But a smart owner will change its oil every 5,000 miles.
HJ
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I just changed the oil in my 1995 VW Passat, using mobil semi-synth and a VW filter. The motor certainly seems smoother and you have a feeling of securing the engines future ever time you do this. Can't recommend the job enough!
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I followed Honest Johns recommendation, and changed the oil and filter in my 1989 Nissan Micra 998cc every 6000 miles.
I have just sold it with 147,000 miles on the clock, and it was still running as sweet as a nut.
HJ will tell you that the engine of this car was not designed to last. I put it down to the oil changes.
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Pete's view may be ok for the fleet type owner (ie trash the car and move on to the next one), but for those of us who either buy used, or buy new with a view to keping it for a fair few years, the importance of changing engine oil is uppermost in the car's maintenance. Not far behing must come coolant changes.
My Merc 190E 1.8 runs like new at 200,000 miles with original head gasket, water pump, etc because it's had oil changes at 6,000 mile intervals. In fact the only engine 'repair' was a rocker cover gasket at the 180,000 mile service, due to a slight leak. Original radiator and even hoses, clutch and gearbox. Amazing vehicle which has benefitted from preventative maintenance, most of which I do myself even though I'm not a practical sort of person; I just love the satisfaction of renewing oil, filter, air filter and plugs - dead easy!
It loves the Halfords fullly synthetic or a decent semi-synthetic. These seem to virtually eliminate engine wear!
Cut costs if you want to but the manufacturer's intervals are not necessarily designed for longevity. I'm sure they'd rather woo fleet buyers with low maintenance costs/days off the road, and benefit from the expensive repair work needed at the 80-100,000 mile mark. (It would be interesting to know the breakdown of profits made by a typical dealership in terms of new sales, used sales. servicing, repairs etc - anybody got this info?)
Regards
Pat
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Chris,
A modern engine is a significant % of the cars new cost. Oil is relatively cheap and I think can be described as an engines life blood.
The huge variability as to the type of use and driving a car gets, from short local trips to long motorway driving at high speed, can throw enormous demands on the best quality oil "systems". It is not difficult or particularly expensive to change, and will almost certainly provide usefull insurance against expensive garage bills when the car approaches 70 to 100 K miles on its speedometer.
If you change your car as regularly as womanfolk change their summer wardrobe then I guess its not a significant issue for you!
Regards,
Julian L
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