When you book an oil and filter change, you can ensure the optimal health and performance of your car’s engine.
Read on and find out what an oil and filter change is, how much it costs and what happens if you don’t change the oil and filter when needed.
Page Contents
- What is an Oil and Filter Change?
- What Happens During an Oil and Filter Change?
- How Long Does an Oil Change Take?
- Why Should You Book an Oil and Filter Change?
- Does My Oil Need Changing?
- How Often Should I Change My Oil?
- How Often Should I Change My Oil Filter?
- What Happens If You Don't Change the Oil and Filter?
What is an Oil and Filter Change?
An oil and filter change consists of a full drain and refill of your engine oil and the fitting of a brand-new oil filter.
Your car’s oil filter removes contaminants from your engine oil, helping to reduce wear and tear of vital engine components.
Engine oil similarly lubricates and protects the moving parts within the engine, so it is essential that you change your oil and filter at timely intervals.
What Happens During an Oil and Filter Change?
During an oil and filter change, a mechanic will first remove the sump plug and drain the oil.
The sump plug is the bit on the underside of your car which keeps the oil in your vehicle.
The mechanic will remove the oil filter, before replacing the sump plug and oil filter.
They can then refill the oil to the correct level, using the right engine oil for your car.
How Long Does an Oil Change Take?
An oil change usually takes between 30-45 minutes, although this can differ based on how much oil your vehicle needs and which garage you choose to complete the work.
Why Should You Book an Oil and Filter Change?
An oil and filter change can extend the lifespan of your car.
You should book an oil change regularly to keep your car in top condition.
This small expense can save you spending on much larger repairs in the future.
Does My Oil Need Changing?
Your car may need an oil change if any of the following are true:
- Oil has turned dark
- Oil is coarse or gritty
- Increased engine noise
- Dirty exhaust smoke
- Illuminated oil warning light
Your oil may also need to be changed if the oil level keeps dropping even though you regularly top it up, or if you've noticed high mileage since the last oil change.
How Often Should I Change My Oil?
We recommend booking an oil change every 6 months or 5,000 miles for best results.
Modern synthetic oils are much more efficient and last longer than traditional mineral engine lubricants. This means that you no longer need to change your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
If you take care of your car with other maintenance as well, your engine oil may last even longer than 5,000 miles.
How Often Should I Change My Oil Filter?
You should always change your oil filter at the same time as your engine oil. This means replacing it every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
If you only change one and not the other, your car can’t lubricate the engine properly. Fresh oil passing through an old filter will go bad quickly, leading to more frequent oil changes.
Similarly, dirty oil passing through a fresh filter will clog it with dust and debris quickly. This limits the amount of oil which can circulate and risks damaging your engine.
What Happens If You Don't Change the Oil and Filter?
If your oil levels are low or the oil is dirty, your engine management light may come on as you could encounter serious engine problems.
Oil goes bad – no matter how well-maintained your car is.
When dirt and debris mix with your oil, this can do damage to your vehicle’s vital components.
You may even void your car’s warranty if you don’t carry out this vital aspect of car maintenance.
Not to mention the increase in fuel consumption you are sure to notice.
Regularly changing the oil and filter can ensure your vehicle has high quality engine oil circulating for as long as possible.
