Taking care of a vehicle is an expensive proposition. The initial investment, plus the constant maintenance costs, can cost car owners over $12,000 a year (fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation). You may be wondering if everything you hear is factual or if some of it is just an old wives’ tale. With that in mind, I want to debunk some common myths about dealerships, engine oil, routine maintenance, and oil change intervals. Below, I address a few common rules you have probably heard and categorize them as either fact or myth.
Debunking Common Oil Change Rules
Additives Make Oils Work Better = Fact (with caveat)
In the 1930s and 1940s, many oil formulations contained the first chemical additives which vastly improved the base oil’s performance and longevity. As automobiles continued to evolve, so did the engine oils. Today, consumers have a wide range of engine oil brands, formulas, grades, and types to choose from, all of which contain additives. A few benefits of chemical additives include:
- Anti-foaming
- Better Lubrication
- Corrosion Resistance
- Enhanced Performance
- Heat Absorption
- Improved Viscosity
- Longer Oil Life
- Oxidation Control
- Reduced Sludge Build-up
Caveat: Aftermarket Additives
When consumers add ‘aftermarket’ additives to their engine oil, it can actually do more harm than good. Experienced chemists and engineers carefully formulate automotive oil compounds. Aftermarket additives may offer improvements to conventional engine oil, but there’s a delicate balance that must not be compromised.
Do some research before adding anything to your vehicle’s engine oil in an attempt to improve vehicle performance or extend the oil change interval. Read your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s engine oil suggestions and consult a qualified auto service technician.
Black Engine Oil Is Always Bad = Myth
Fresh engine oil starts as an amber color, reminiscent of honey. With use and time, it darkens through shades of brown and eventually into black. Modern oil formulas have a significantly longer lifespan than those from 30 or 40 years ago. The quality of your vehicle’s oil no longer depends on the color. Black engine oil may still contain all the necessary properties to protect your engine. The key to determining oil quality is getting an oil analysis. This test reveals the oil’s current condition and offers insights into the overall health of your vehicle’s engine.
Dealerships Must Do An Oil Change = Myth (with caveat)
It’s a common practice for car dealerships to offer a ‘free oil change’ program with the purchase of a new car. It makes total sense to take advantage of those ‘free’ oil changes while they last, because let’s be serious, the cost of those services is wrapped into your loan. But what about after the ‘free’ services end?
Do you have to continue getting your oil changes at the dealership forever or risk voiding your warranty? Nope, that’s a myth. As a car owner, you are free to schedule an oil change anywhere you want to – just keep records of the service in case you decide to sell your car later. Maintaining a routine service history increases the value of your vehicle and helps prolong its life.
Caveat: Leasing Agreements
Be aware that some car leasing agreements require that all vehicle services must occur at the dealership. If you lease your car, be sure to read the fine print so you fully understand your rights and obligations before changing the oil yourself or taking it to your favorite service center.
Oil Change Intervals Every 3 Months = Myth
For decades, every vehicle followed the universal oil change interval (every 3 months or 3,000 miles). But advancements in vehicle design, engine improvements, and engine oil formulas have changed the game. Auto manufacturers now define oil change intervals based on vehicle type, engine design, and oil grade. They also consider how consumers use the vehicle. For example, heavy-duty trucks and construction vehicles have very different needs from a compact vehicle or a Formula One race car. To achieve the best protection for your automobile, follow the factory-recommended oil change interval and engine oil formula.
Thicker Oil Provides More Protection = Myth
Engine oil has come a long way since it was first used in automobiles in the early 1920s. Viscosity refers to the thickness of engine oil and its resistance to flow at different temperatures. In the beginning, companies simply defined engine oil by thickness:
- Light
- Medium
- Heavy
Those early oil formulas contained no extra additives and required replacement every 800 to 1,000 miles. Additionally, motorists had to change them seasonally, using a thicker oil in the summer and a thinner oil in the winter. In the past, older engine designs featured wider tolerances that required thicker oils to maintain contact with the engine’s components.
Modern engine designs utilize better technology to achieve tighter tolerances. A thinner, multi-grade engine oil is necessary to circulate and lubricate modern engine components properly. To protect your vehicle’s engine parts, only use the engine oil type recommended by the manufacturer. You can find this information in your owner’s manual.
What About Routine Maintenance?
We hear about routine maintenance all the time. Car commercials, print advertisements, and dealerships all go on about the importance of routine maintenance and service intervals. So, is it a real thing, or is it just another way to squeeze money from consumers? Let’s get into it.
Routine Maintenance Prevents Repairs = Fact
When discussing vehicle routine maintenance, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about preventing unnecessary wear and tear to reduce future repairs. It’s a lot like a yearly medical exam. We monitor the current circumstances, make adjustments when needed, and hope for the best. But study after study proves that routine maintenance does work. Car owners who stick to the factory-recommended service intervals have fewer vehicle repairs and a higher satisfaction rate than owners who frequently skip service appointments.
Engine Oil Service in Kirkland, WA
Fisher’s Auto Service in Kirkland, WA, has served our community for over 40 years. Our experienced service technicians are happy to guide you through choosing the correct engine oil and oil change interval for your needs. We provide a quality alternative to the quick-lube, chain-store tire shops, and dealerships service departments.
Schedule Service
Scheduling routine auto maintenance is the best way to protect your investment for years of trouble-free driving. Call us to schedule your next oil change service at (425) 823-4441 or visit our website.