How Many Miles Between Oil Changes
One of the simplest ways to extend the life your vehicle is by keeping up with a routine maintenance schedule, including regularly changing your oil. While your owner’s manual is an excellent resource to reference, a good rule of thumb is to change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles.
At Boardwalk Honda, our state-of-the-art service center is here to provide drivers throughout Atlantic City and Egg Harbor, NJ, with dependable and honest care over the life of your vehicle. If you can’t remember the last time you scheduled a service appointment, continue reading to learn how simple and beneficial the entire process can be.
The Importance of Changing Your Oil
While the importance of filling up your vehicle with gasoline is obvious to most drivers, some might not understand the vital role that motor oil plays in keeping your engine running at peak performance. Motor oil lubricates all the moving metal parts inside your engine, reducing heat caused by friction, while removing dangerous particles that get trapped inside. Without motor oil, your engine would quickly begin to overheat and break down.
Overtime, your vehicle’s oil gets exposed to things like moisture, air, and dirt particles, and starts to oxidize. If not regularly replaced every 3,000-5,000 miles, your oil will begin to turn into a dark, heavy sludge. This can cause a number of problems such as:
- Overheating
- Lowered fuel-economy
- Hazardous emissions
…along with increased pressure on your engine to perform, which can result in components prematurely wearing down or breaking. If ignored for long enough, you run the risk of full engine seizure. A seized engine is often an irreversible and expensive repair. The good news is that this can all be avoided by simply keeping a regular maintenance schedule with our highly-skilled and friendly service team.
Signs You Need an Oil Change
If you can’t remember the date of your last oil change, there’s a number of easy-to-spot signs that your vehicle is due for an oil change appointment including:
- Dipstick Check. Open the hood of your engine and while using an old rag, pull the engine’s dipstick out of the engine. Wipe the dipstick clean, replace it back into its holder, and pull it out again. The oil on the end of the stick should appear as a light, translucent color. If the oil is thick and dark, you should schedule to have it changed.
- Lowered Fuel-Efficiency. If you notice that you’re going through a tank of gas quicker than normal, it’s a good sign that your oil needs to be changed.
- Dark Exhaust Fumes. If, while idling, you notice that your vehicle emits a heavy, black smoke from its exhaust pipe, you should immediately schedule a service appointment. Old motor oil isn’t able to dispose of harmful particles, resulting in your engine burning and emitting them through its exhaust system. This can wear down your engine, not to mention release toxic chemicals into the air.
Schedule an Oil Change at Boardwalk Honda Today!
Ignore routine maintenance at your own peril. If you’re a driver living near Atlantic City or Egg Harbor in need of an automotive checkup, simply stop in during service hours or schedule an online appointment today!