Regular Oil Changes Can Save You Money
Although mechanics have long lectured drivers on the importance of changing their oil, drivers often fail to understand the full benefits of regular oil changes. Many see oil changes as a waste of money when in fact they are among the best investments you can make in a car.
Benefits of regular oil changes
Enhanced Fuel Economy
Oil provides valuable lubrication to the engine, allowing it to function as smoothly and efficiently as
possible. If you fail to change the oil, friction will build up, causing resistance while you drive. The longer this goes on, the lower your car’s fuel mileage will be, forcing you to fill up more often and spend more on gas. An investment in regular oil changes will thus more than pay off through lower fuel bills and less time spent at the gas station.
Powertrain Preservation
Fuel economy isn’t the only thing that suffers when friction builds up in your engine. The more resistance that there is between your engine and other parts of the powertrain, the more quickly the parts wear down. Poor lubrication causes parts to:
- Grind Together– Without proper lubrication, parts will wear each other down.
- Fuse Together– Without oil to separate them, parts can melt and become stuck together.
- Accumulate Debris– Old oil accumulates dust and dirt, which damage the engine upon contact.
These damages can cause your engine to break down, often without much warning, forcing you to replace the powertrain or buy a new car entirely. Either option is orders of magnitude more expensive than a few oil changes.
Mitigated Maintenance
Even if it survives, a poorly oiled engine is likely to require more maintenance work than an engine that you oil regularly. This generates a host of direct and indirect costs. Comprehensive engine repairs are more expensive than simply changing the oil, as they often require you to buy new parts and hire a trained mechanic to perform them. In addition to the direct cost of repair, you also have to account for the value of your time. Every hour your car spends in the shop is an hour you can’t use it to drive to work, buy groceries, or perform other valuable activities. All these costs quickly add up, making repairs far more expensive than a quick oil change.
Savings Through Safety
In addition to damaging your car and draining your wallet, failing to change the oil also puts you and your family at risk. A poorly lubricated or compromised engine will have trouble accelerating or decelerating on cue, which is dangerous when driving on a crowded road at high speeds. If the engine breaks down while you are driving, it will be a struggle to bring the car to a stop safely. Additionally, if you don’t regularly replace it with new oil, the old oil in the car will start to burn, exposing you, your family, and anyone else around you to a host of harmful fumes.
Although your family’s safety is not primarily a monetary issue, unsafe and unhealthy conditions are expensive. The fumes from old oil can cause lung damage and chronic illnesses, while engine problems can cause injury and damage to your car. All of these effects are expensive, and all can be reduced or eliminated if you change your oil.
With over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry, Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions has the skills and training to service all types of vehicles. We provide quality oil changes, transmission repair, tire repair, and a wide range of other automotive repairs and enhancements. For more information or to request a quote, visit our website today.
