How Does Engine Oil Affect My Car’s Performance?

oil change container with oil filter

Have you ever stopped to think about the importance of engine oil in your car? Really, how critical a role does oil play in your engine’s performance? It is easy to understand the need to frequently add fuel, but maybe it is not as clear why the oil needs to be changed regularly. What happens if you neglect it? Will your engine’s performance suffer?

Oil: Your engine’s best-supporting actor

If you think back to the last movie you watched, you surely can identify the main characters. In your engine, the main characters might well be the pistons and valves and crankshaft all moving together to produce power. But there is a supporting actor in the script. Engine oil (also called motor oil) is an essential player for proper engine performance. Far from simply being an “extra” on set, your engine oil is essential to the plot. If it is not able to play its role, engine performance will suffer. In fact, without it, the performance would come to an abrupt ending.

So, what is meant by engine performance? Simply put, engine performance is the ability of your engine to do its job efficiently. When an engine performs properly, and efficiently, it runs smoothly. It produces adequate and consistent power. It provides many years and many miles of service. And (certainly not at the bottom of the list) its fuel economy is at its peak.

Dozens of routine maintenance items contribute to and enhance engine performance. But nothing matters more than changing the oil on a regular basis.

Oil: The lifeblood of your engine

You see, engine oil may not be the lead actor in your engine, but without it, the lead actors - any actors really - cannot perform their roles.

Engine oil is scripted to provide essential lubrication to all of the moving parts inside your engine. When the pistons move up and down inside their respective cylinders, only a thin layer of lubricant prevents them from coming into contact with one another. Likewise with the valves, rods, bearings, and so forth. All of those moving metal parts would rub against each other and wear away, or even grind to a halt, without oil to lubricate them.

Engine oil plays other roles. It contains detergents to keep the inside of your engine clean and free of dirty deposits. It also contains additives to help it maintain a consistent viscosity (thickness) across a wide heat range, prevent buildup, resist thermal breakdown, and avoid turning to sludge. It even works along with the cooling system to help keep your engine cool.

But engine oil only lasts for so long. Over time, it does eventually break down. When this thermal breakdown happens, the oil loses its ability to lubricate effectively. It no longer helps to manage engine heat as it should. It gets thicker and (if not addressed) turns to sludge. Old oil also forms deposits on internal components. These problems lead to poor fuel economy and a loss of power because the engine needs to work harder. It also causes premature engine wear. Not changing your oil can also lead to component failure or even catastrophic engine failure. 

So, for those reasons, your engine’s oil needs to be replaced regularly. It is considered the lifeblood of an engine - and it needs a transfusion every so often.

When to change your oil

If your engine’s oil needs replacement on a regular basis, how often should you change it? Well, that depends.

First of all, every make and model of car, truck, or SUV has its own maintenance schedule that lists the intervals between routine procedures like changing the air filter, rotating the tires, and (you guessed it) changing the oil. Forget what Grandpa (and some quick-lube stores) says about “three months or three thousand miles”. That is an old oil change myth; only vehicles driven in harsh conditions generally need oil changes that frequently. Actually, the shortest manufacturer-recommended interval is every 5K miles on a modern vehicle. Some suggest 7.5K miles or more. Check your owner’s manual or a trusted oil change shop in Virginia for specific recommendations for your car.

(Read about other oil change myths)

Another factor that might affect how often you change your oil is the type of oil you choose: conventional or synthetic. Some vehicles come from the factory with conventional motor oil. If that is the case with your vehicle and you opt to replace it with synthetic oil, you could potentially extend the time between oil changes.

Lastly, if you do not drive your vehicle very often, you might not put enough miles on it to warrant the standard oil change interval. Nevertheless, make sure to change your oil annually even if it is just sitting in a garage.

Engine oil is critical to maintaining engine performance; old oil will not allow your engine to perform as it should. On the contrary, it could cause catastrophic failure. Make sure to set an appointment to have your oil and filter changed on time at a reputable Virginia auto repair shop near you.

This article is intended only as a general guidance document and relying on its material is at your sole risk. By using this general guidance document, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto and its affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or related to your use of this guidance document. To the extent fully permissible under applicable law, Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included in this document. This reservation of rights is intended to be only as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of your State of residence.

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