THE OIL TRAP WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

If more than half your journeys take fewer than 20km, you should change your oil every 5-7000km. Take note of the section in your handbook which specifies the wide range of conditions where 10,000km oil changes do not apply. This can include dusty conditions, heavy loads, sustained high speeds, frequent short trips, stopstart driving and towing.

If a modern engine rattles or taps when cold, it may need thinner oil. Heavy loads, sustained high speeds or towing may require a synthetic oil for best protection. Topping up an engine that uses oil with new oil is NOT the same as giving it an oil change. The contaminates left behind increase in concentration each time the oil level drops. They need to be drained out. A car used for frequent short trips may not appear to use oil but contaminates build up.

Oil must be checked on a long drive because there can be a sudden drop in oil level after they boil out. The latest unleaded engines produce nastier by-products and they also have less oil (for light weight and faster warm up); oil can clog up if not checked often enough. The 10,000km oil change should be treated as an absolute maximum. If your car does not cover that distance in 6 months, the oil should be changed regardless.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Check the oil on level ground after the car has been switched off for a couple of minutes to let the oil drain into the bottom of the engine, otherwise the dipstick will show a false low reading. Over filling can damage the engine.
• Oil filters should be renewed with every oil change. Ask for one which meets the standards set by the manufacturer of your car.
• Choose an oil which bears a guarantee which meets the relevant standards.
• DON’T ignore the oil warning light, even if there is plenty of oil in the engine.

Why an Engine Oil Upgrade is necessary

Vehicle manufacturers are designing their engines to take SAE10W-30 type oils, (now the highest selling grade in the USA), and in some instances, even lighter. These oils reduce friction, provide protection for bearing surfaces with extremely small clearances, help improve fuel consumption and assist in the reduction of exhaust emissions...

Since the mid to late 90's, the trend to use those lower viscosity oils is becoming more common with vehicle manufacturer's, thus, oil specification should be checked and adhered to maintain warranty, performance and avoid premature engine wear.

"Your car could be one of these vehicles and require a low viscosity semi-synthetic or full synthetic engine oil to maintain manufacturer's specification"

VEHICLE SERVICE & PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Many parts of your vehicle are inter-related and work in sync, ignoring maintenance can lead to failure of other parts or an entire vehicle system. Neglecting even simple preventive maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns, and could invalidate your warranty.

The best way to keep a vehicle in good condition is to follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving. If you do not have an owner's manual, contact your local Autobahn to suggest a recommended maintenance schedule to suit your type of driving situation.