One of the most important and cost effective things you can do for your vehicle is getting an oil change. Getting regular oil changes every 3,000 miles or three months can be the difference between your vehicle running like new after several years or turning into a nightmare down the line.

Oil does much more for vehicles that people realize. Its has a lot of functions that it carries out. Its one of those items that people take for granted, quite naturally, and never know whats its actual purpose is unless something goes wrong.

The main part of your engine is comprised of several cylinders with pistons in them. Tiny explosions are created inside these cylinders making the pistons go up and down at thousands of times per minute. The only thing stopping your pistons from wearing down these cylinder walls is motor oil. You can imagine how tough the oil has to work eliminating metal on metal contact as much as possible.

All the explosions, which makes the pistons go up and down, create an immense amount of heat. With the help of your radiator’s antifreeze motor oil absorbs heat created by all this shearing. Without it your engine would get so hot it would blow up.

Oil cleans your engine massively. Exploding gasoline or diesel creates a lot of “blow by” and these particles can really harm your engine. Oil traps a lot of this, as well as any other sludge, and takes them to the oil filter to be cleaned out. Without oil, or enough of it, your engine “gunks” up rather quickly.

There really is no reason for not staying on top of your oil changes in our modern day. Your motor oil takes a beating with all the duties its expected to perform and needs to be replaced on a regular basis. You can try to change the oil yourself but this can be quite challenging in newer vehicles without the right tools and you still have to dispose of the waste oil. In every town or city there is a quick lube not too far away from anyone eliminating any excuses for not getting an oil change when it comes time.

There may even be a mobile oil change service available where you live. Most people do not know about them but they are becoming quite popular in certain areas. All you have to do is call them up and make an appointment. You can be at your office and have the service done. You will really do yourself a favor staying away from the cheapest oil changes you can find. Oftentimes those bottom of the barrel prices are just to bait you in and customers end up leaving with a several hundred dollar repair bill.

Make it a mental note to stay on top of your oil changes. Many people do not and pay a high price later. Its an easy thing to get no matter where you live. Oil is the lifeblood of any car and with all the options around us there is no excuse for not having it changed out on a quarterly basis. Its cheap insurance and a wise investment that always pays off. Other problems are also usually caught when they go for an oil change like broken belts, battery problems, or low fluids. Every 3,000 miles is the gold standard and the people who stick to that rarely have problems.