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So the holidays are right around the corner…is it time for an oil change? The answer is a conditional “that depends.”

You probably know that motor oil cuts friction between moving parts and helps disperse excessive heat buildup inside your engine. It’s also designed to suspend tiny particles of carbon and metal shavings so they can be trapped in the paper pleats of the oil filter. If left too long, though, the oil filter will become too saturated to absorb any more impurities and sludgy deposits will start to build up on bearings, valvetrain components and other moving parts. Remember that the oil pan is essentially a sump for the engine oil, and the oil pump’s job is to suck oil up from the pan and start sending it to the engine’s upper end. In extreme cases, dirty oil can clog the oil pump’s pickup screen and prevent it from circulating at all, seizing the engine.

At one time, the “3,000 mile rule” held true for oil changes. Motor oil companies, auto repair shops and quick-change facilities preached the 3,000 mile rule for all cars and all grades of oil. Those days are over, however. Formulations of motor oil have changed greatly in the last 20 years, as newer oils contain friction modifiers, seal conditioners, stabilizers, detergents and other components that are designed for longer oil life.

Conventional motor oil can now easily go 5-7,000 miles between oil changes with no appreciable sludge accumulation. Synthetic motor oils are more stable than conventional mineral-based oil; synthetics outperform conventional oil in just about every respect. Synthetics are more stable, with better flow properties (meaning they don’t thin out as much when hot and don’t thicken at cold temperatures). All manufacturers now recommend synthetics for their new models, thanks to their improved protection and performance. While more expensive, synthetics can commonly go for 10-12,000 mile intervals between changes (always check manufacturer’s recommendations).

So, back to the original question…do you need an oil change before your Christmas road trip? That depends on two things: how many miles will your trip cover, and how long has it been since your last oil change?

If you can’t remember, you might want to just take a look at the oil itself:

• Park the car on level ground, engine warmed up and not running
• Raise the hood and look for a loop or T-handle on the side of the engine, usually marked “Engine Oil”
• Pull the dipstick out, wipe it on a clean rag, reinsert it and pull it out a second time.
• There should be two marks on the dipstick, reading “Full” and “Add 1 Quart,” with a grid of hash marks in between. If your oil level is within the hash marks, it’s at a safe level.
• Examine the oil closely. Clean motor oil should be honey-colored and transparent. Oil that’s darker but still transparent is marginal. Oil that’s the color of black coffee and has a strong sour or gasoline smell needs to be changed.

Does that help clear things up? At Van’s Tires & Service in Kent, OH, we want to help make sure you and your family are safe over this holiday season. Get a look at your odometer and your service records, or just get a look at the motor oil itself. If it’s time for an oil change, make an appointment with us and let us get you taken care of!