It's important for vehicle owners to have old oil drained and replaced with new oil and also to have the filter changed during this service. The recommended time frame between services depends on the automobile, so owners should follow guidelines in the manual.

Occasionally checking the dipstick at home also is advisable, especially as the vehicle gets older. Owners will notice how long it takes before the liquid becomes darker and whether a leak might have developed.

A lower level also could indicate that the engine is burning oil. Topping off the container should be done as needed since the engine requires the optimum amount to run as intended.

The Importance of Lubrication

The filter must be changed as recommended so contaminants continue to be effectively captured. If the device becomes too clogged with particles, the liquid is diverted to a relief valve. Now no filtering occurs and the oil grows dirtier faster. That's hard on the engine. Service technicians will not agree to change oil without also replacing the filter. 

Clean oil moves more smoothly through the vehicle's motor. This lubricates moving parts and keeps them cooler. In contrast, contaminated oil has lost some of its lubrication effects. Small amounts of grit in the liquid cause friction and lead to a hotter engine. Moving parts are subject to more wear and tear because of that friction. This also happens when the level is low. Eventually, those worn components could break.

Chemical Changes

There's another reason oil changes are essential. The engine's heat causes a gradual chemical breakdown in the products as well as the deterioration of protective additives. Again, lubrication is no longer as effective as it should be.

Basic and Full Service

Most providers offer basic and full service. The basic work includes draining and replacing the old oil and also replacing the filter. Full service usually includes checking all fluid levels and topping off any that are low. Customers are notified about which containers had low levels in case this might indicate a leak. Tire pressure is checked and adjusted if needed. Depending on the facility, the technicians might inspect belts, hoses and the air filter.

Concluding Thoughts

With routine oil changes as recommended, automobile owners are doing something advantageous for the motor at a reasonable cost. This extends the engine's lifespan and helps prevent the need for expensive repair work in the future. Without clean oil and sufficient lubrication, the engine eventually may develop catastrophic failure earlier than would normally be expected.

To find out more on car services in Virginia Beach, VA, contact Grease Monkey.