The life of your Volvo is dependent on a variety of factors, including proper oil maintenance. If you want your car’s engine to run as smoothly as possible, getting the oil changed at the right intervals is a must. This type of maintenance job does not typically take a lot of time or cost much money, but it can be invaluable in terms of keeping your vehicle in great condition.
In addition to having your oil changed periodically, you may be faced with the decision to use either conventional oil or synthetic oil. Both types of engine lubricant may offer various benefits and disadvantages, so exploring the topic might help you to make the best choice for your car.
Conventional Oil vs. Synthetic Oil
The main difference between these two types of oil is that conventional oil is made from a natural material (petroleum), and synthetic oil is made synthetic chemicals. Conventional oil is generally suitable for an engine in many circumstances, but sometimes, synthetic oil could be a more viable option. Synthetic oil is generally a better oil to use in very hot or cold weather. If you live in a place like Abbotsford, you may want to consider using this type of oil in the winter. Many vehicle owners opt to use synthetic lubricant in the cold months, and then they switch back to conventional oil when the weather is milder.
The primary disadvantage of using synthetic oil is the added expense (it costs more than the conventional kind of lubricant). This detail may be outweighed by the fact that you can change your oil less often when you use synthetic oil. Additionally, it is possible that the synthetic version may extend the life of your car’s engine.
The Importance of Changing Your Oil
If you choose not to change the oil in your car and simply keep adding to it instead, you may not become aware of the resulting damage until it is too late to fix it. Failing to change the oil can have a negative effect on certain parts of your car, including the oil filter and the engine. Adding clean oil to dirty oil does not change the fact that some of the oil is dirty, and doing this will not prevent an accumulation of sludge in your engine. Once the oil filter becomes clogged with oil and sludge, the materials will seep into the parts of your car that the filter is meant to protect.
When Should You Schedule an Oil Change?
You should always consult your owner’s manual for instruction on when to change the oil. However, a general guideline is to change the oil each time you have driven 5,000 km. If you use synthetic oil, you may typically wait until you have driven 8,000 km (and possibly up to 12,000 km). You might also discuss the matter with a knowledgeable technician at Collins Automotive in Abbotsford, and you can fill out our form to get a free quote.
Collins Automotive
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