Reading Auto Repair

Skipping an oil change once does not usually blow up an engine overnight. That is why a lot of drivers get comfortable stretching the interval a little farther each time. The trouble is that every extra mile on worn oil quietly raises friction, heat, and sludge buildup, and the damage rarely shows until it is expensive. Knowing what is happening inside the engine may change how you look at that little sticker on the windshield. What Engine Oil Really Does Between Changes Engine oil does more than just lubricate moving parts. It carries away heat, suspends dirt and soot, and protects metal surfaces with an additive package that fights wear and corrosion. Every time you start the car, tiny metal surfaces slide on a very thin film of oil instead of scraping directly against each other. Over time, the additives get used up and the oil fills with microscopic debris and fuel that slipped past the rings. At first, the engine still feels fine. As the miles stack up, that w ... read more