The synthetic oil replacements are the most important maintenance task you should keep up with. To ensure you do, follow the tips in this post by Ken Reaser Enterprises in Apopka, FL.
How to Keep Up With Your Vehicle's Synthetic Motor Oil Changes
Know of Their Importance
It's easy to be forgetful or neglectful of your vehicle's synthetic oil changes when you don't even know why they're necessary. To correct that way of thinking, you need to know of the synthetic oil's importance. Maybe this way, you'll be scared straight and will start to be more responsible.
For starters, you should be aware of what the synthetic oil does for your engine. When the engine is running, its parts move and brush up against each other, creating tons of friction and increasing the heat in the vehicle. The synthetic oil comes in to coat and protect the moving components, to lessen the friction, prolong their lifespan, regulate the engine's temperature, and smooth out its processes.
Still, after some time, use, and the exposure to extreme conditions, the synthetic oil begins to change. It thins out, it becomes dirty and gritty, and basically, it loses its capacity to do its job adequately.
An unprotected engine can cost you a lot of money, which is why it's recommended that you change the old oil for new one in order to keep your engine healthy and powerful.
Know When to Provide the Replacements
Now that you know why you need new oil every so often, it's time to move on to the 'when'. It can be hard to keep up with them if you're not even sure of when you should be providing the replacements.
For one, you should be aware that you can drive around on the same oil only for a determined number of miles. Be mindful, however, that the exact number of miles can vary depending on a few different factors - like the vehicle's condition and the use you give it. For reliable information on this matter, consult your mechanic or read through the owner's manual.
Likewise, if you've had the same oil for over the year, if the oil has become dirty, or if it's not at the right levels, your engine is in dire need of some new synthetic oil, so make sure to provide it for it in a timely manner.
Now, let's say that the reason why you don't do a good job at keeping up with your vehicle's replacements isn't due to ignorance, but to bad memory. It happens. With everything else going on in your life, it is easy to put your vehicle's maintenance in the back burner.
Luckily, there are several ways to help you remember that you need to replace the synthetic oil in your vehicle. Employ one, two, or all of them so you won't have the excuse that you forgot to do it.
For example, you can set an alarm on your smartphone and make it go off when your vehicle is due some new synthetic oil. Even if you have the strongest memory, a little bit of extra help from your smartphone can guarantee you'll be responsible with your vehicle's maintenance. Just make sure to label it correctly, so that you're not confused when an alarm starts going off every six months or so.
Another great tip to that end is to write the replacements down. Each time that you get the oil changed, write down the date on a notebook. It's even recommended that you note how many bottles of synthetic oil were used. This way, you'll have better control and documentation of your engine's synthetic oil replacements.
Lastly, know that you're not alone and that you can ask for help from others. For instance, if you share the vehicle with someone else, make sure to also share the responsibility of maintaining it properly, so that the burden doesn't fall solely on your shoulders. Likewise, if the auto shop you go to has an app or a reminder service that can notify you when it's time for a replacement, sign up for it, so you never forget again.