All About Oil

MANILA, Philippines - In order to keep your car running at its best, it’s important to keep up with the maintenance schedule set by a manufacturer. After all, no one wants to be driving around in an inefficient car. And while the entire task of keeping a car in tip-top shape may seem daunting to most, sometimes you’d be surprised at how the simplest of preventive measures can save you a lot of troubleshooting down the line. Take for example the importance of changing one’s motor oil.

An oil change puts fresh oil into your car. More importantly, an oil change drains out the old oil that can become filled with dust, metal particles or other contaminants. As your oil ages, outside items make their way in. Without an oil change, this contamination can lower your gas mileage or in the worse case, cause your engine to fail. An oil change is a great preventive step to help keep you car running clean and smooth. Make sure to change your oil filter as well, as this practice helps to remove impurities from the oil and the engine.

A good rule of thumb to stick to would be to consciously monitor one’s mileage and to change oil every 5,000 kilometers. However, as some car variants require a bit more (or a bit less) attention, it would also be wise to follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Manufacturers often specify the frequency for an oil change for your driving conditions. The frequency of your oil and filter changes should also follow these recommendations.

There is also that concern about the different kinds of oil used. And while it might all seem a bit confusing, there are a few pointers that you can take note of to keep you from going dizzy with the choices. The first number in an oil container (such as 5W) indicates the low-temperature (Winter) viscosity. Viscosity simply is a measure of an oil’s ability to flow and protect at certain temperatures. The lower the number, the easier the oil will flow (and protect) in cold weather when starting your car. The second number (such as 30, in 5W-30), indicates the thickness of the oil at operating (high) temperatures. When you get an oil change, you should follow your manufacturer’s recommendations. Take a look at your owner’s manual before your next trip to Rapidé for an oil change.