The Engine Lubrication System

The primary system to protect the moving parts of your vehicle is the lubrication system.

It may seem obvious but a motor vehicle is designed as a shell that uses engine power to move its contents from a starting point to a destination. This can be carried out efficiently using the minimum fuel energy or not.
Imagine driving a car with rusty wheel bearings, the handbrake stuck and the brake pads seized onto the discs.
What would happen?
You would have to keep your foot on the accelerator, use loads of fuel and hope you got to your destination before the whole system tore itself apart. And where would all that excess fuel energy go? Heat The energy would be needed to overcome the friction caused by having solid surfaces in close contact.

The oil is present to keep moving parts separate and reduce friction. It also contains anti-oxidants to help prevent corrosion. If the oil is too thin i.e. low viscosity it will not be able to fully separate the moving parts and be, literally, squeezed out of the gap by the bearing pressure. Similarly, if the oil is too thick i.e. high viscosity then the moving parts will be moving as if through treacle and need to use more energy to overcome the visco-elastic drag of the oil.
Oil Change regularly with the correct grade oil to ensure maximum engine life, acceleration and mileage. Oil viscosity will vary with temperature and not all moving parts are moving at the same speed or need the same viscosity oil. A compromise is necessary hence the need for Multigrade oils that can cope with a range of conditions.
By using a reliable garage to change your oil you can be sure that while your vehicle is up on the lift, they will be visually checking the pipes, brakes, joints and suspension for any tell-tale signs of wear and tear.

Oil Change Frequency

The old rule of thumb used to be every 3000 miles but many vehicle manufacturers indicate 5000 to 7000 miles. Initially, follow the manufacturers recommended oil change guidelines to ensure you validate your warranty.

Oil does not perform forever

Oil is composed of hundreds, if not thousands of individual chemicals and some of these will react chemically or break down with the extreme conditions they have to endure, changing the lubrication properties. Also, the anti-oxidants are sacrificed to protect your engine and will be used up first, removing the anti-corrosion properties of the oil. There are also moisture scavengers, detergents and acidity regulators that remove the effects water, particle, and fuel combustion residue contamination can have on performance and corrosion. Once they have absorbed the maximum amount of water and other contaminants they can handle then this also increases the risk of corrosion and failure. Modern synthetic oils can last longer because they have a more balanced molecular structure and fewer natural impurities that increase oil breakdown compared to the cheaper refined oils.

Oil Change Recommendation

Keep a small amount of the oil used to lubricate your vehicle in a sealed container. When you check your dipstick for oil level compare the lubricity or feel of the oil with your reference sample of fresh oil. If the oil in your engine seems thin in comparison then it may be time to replace it.

The cost of a new oil filter and oil change is negligible compare to the cost of an Engine Rebuild. Regular preventative maintenance and routine servicing work outs cheaper in the long run.

Oil Pressure Gauge or Oil Light Warning

If you have an oil-light, ensure it light before you start the car and extinguishes immediately after. If not, you may have a faulty connection or sensor.

Oil pressure gauges normally start at zero rising to normal shortly after start-up. If your oil light is on or the gauge reads zero while the engine is running then chances are that the engine is running without lubrication and should be switched off and checked immediately or it will overheat and seize. Ensure you don't have an oil leak. Check to confirm if the dipstick measurement is low then top-up as normal and make sure the new level does not drop rapidly after a few minutes. If the oil gauge reads normal and the oil-light goes off then this may be your problem. If you feel confident to drive and all is well, monitor your dipstick measurements and make sure you aren't losing oil before assuming the all-clear.