News: Engine oil: when and how to change it?

The service life of the car, the interaction of components, good handling during driving depend on various parameters, and one of the main ones is high-quality engine oil. This consumable material loses its useful properties thereby protects the car from premature deterioration. Thus, it is in the interests of the car owner not to miss the moment of change so that the car will continue to please with smooth running.

Oil life: what it depends on

The same brand of oil can handle with its functions for different periods of time. The period of operation is influenced by:

• driving speed – the higher the speed, the more the cylinder block heats up and the faster the oil ages;
• operating conditions – off-road driving and in extreme weather conditions, city traffic jams and other difficult circumstances accelerate oil wear;
• regularity of travel – frequent short-distance trips, long vehicle idle intervals have a bad effect on the life of the lubricant.

If adverse factors are present when operating the vehicle, the oil change interval should be shortened.

Is it time to change the oil?

The answer to this question is in the technical documentation for the car. For instance, the recommendation for many European cars no older than 10 years is to change the oil and oil filter once a year or after driving 15,000 kilometers in stable operating conditions. The presence of extreme factors requires oil replacement after 7,000 to 8,000 kilometers of mileage.

Lubricant replacement in older cars is done more often – from 5,000 to 10,000 km run, depending on the age of the car and operating conditions.

Should I change oil in winter?

Modern all-season oils do not require changing with regard to the season, and if the period of service  allows going through the winter, this procedure is unnecessary.

Another situation is when before the cold season there is a small mileage reserve. In this case it is better to take care beforehand: in cold conditions it is harder for the engine to operate, the oil wears out faster, moreover it has already lost a big percentage of its operational properties. In that case, it will be right to change the oil before the cold weather arrives.