Why Regular Oil Changes are Essential for Your Chevy’s Health

Oil is the second most important liquid in your Chevy after fuel. It allows your engine to perform at its best while reducing potential damage. Like all other fluids, oil becomes less efficient as it ages and needs regular replacement. As your Chevy dealer, we want to tell you more about oil and when and why you need an oil change.

From Your Chevy Dealer: What Engine Oil Does and How an Oil Change Works

What Does Oil Do?

Oil is a lubricant, and good lubrication is essential for most engine components. Lubrication coats these components in a friction-reducing film, allowing them to work faster while preventing friction damage. Oil is pumped continually through the engine by the oil pump, and this movement cools the components as passes over, helping reduce engine temperature.

Engine oil contains additives that perform important engine maintenance. They help break down carbon deposits that can cause blockages in the engine. Other additives help prevent rust, which very quickly causes serious engine damage. As oil ages, its benefits drastically reduce, and it can even cause engine damage if it’s not replaced on schedule.

Types of Oil

There are three types of oil: regular oil, synthetic oil, and synthetic blend oil. Let’s look at each of them in turn.

Regular Oil

This type of oil is naturally occurring and is pumped from the ground as petroleum. It’s refined to increase viscosity and was the only oil available for over 100 years for automobiles. As a natural product, it breaks down faster than the other oil options and usually needs replacement every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on your model. It’s also the least expensive of the three options.

Full Synthetic Oil

This type of oil is also petroleum-based, but it’s manufactured in laboratories. It’s enhanced with additional chemicals to give it a longer life. These chemicals also make it more efficient at reducing rust and breaking down blockages. It usually needs replacement every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. It’s the most costly of the three options.

Synthetic Blend Oil

This type of oil is a mixture of regular and synthetic oil, making it a compromise choice. It lasts longer than regular oil, usually needing replacement every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, and is cheaper than full synthetic oil.

Changing the Oil

Our technicians open the drain plug on the oil sump, the part of the engine where the oil is stored, and allow the oil to drain completely. We then remove and replace the old oil filter with a new one. The drain plug is cleaned, and its seal is tested before the oil sump is closed. The final step is to refill your engine with new oil.

Book a change of oil today. Contact our service department at Don Franklin Burkesville Chevrolet in Burkesville, KY.