When it comes to keeping your vehicle’s engine in tip-top shape for the long road ahead, periodic oil changes are as crucial as an annual physical is for your human body.
Why Motor Oil Changes Matter
The oil is responsible for keeping the moving parts in your engine from grinding together. Over time, the oil gets thicker and thicker until it can no longer move freely. When the oil can no longer keep the parts in your engine from grinding together, the engine will start to overheat and break down.
How Often Should You Change Your Nissan’s Motor Oil?
You might have heard of the “3,000-mile rule” when it comes to frequent oil changes. This simply means that car owners should change their oil every 3,000 miles. Your vehicle’s manufacturer can recommend a specific time period, but it’s not an exact science.
Some vehicles will require more frequent changes than others, and for new Nissan models such as the Nissan Altima or Nissan Rogue, you can change oil between 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
Factors that Influence Your Motor Oil Change Frequency
1. How Often You Drive
The more you drive, the more stress you put on the engine. If you drive a lot, you’ll need to change your oil more frequently. Driving every day for long miles may require more than one oil change per year, while fewer times on the road can settle with just one oil change in a year.
2. Year of Manufacturing
The year of manufacturing also influences the recommendation from your vehicle’s manufacturer. For instance, an older vehicle will need more regular oil changes compared to newer models.
3. Driving Habits
Using your vehicle for long periods of time on the highway or cruising at high speeds will require more frequent oil changes. Keeping your vehicle at stop-and-go traffic for short distances also requires more frequent oil changes.
Reasons Regular Oil Changes are Important
1. Maintains Engine Lubrication
You want to avoid engine friction by making sure that every part of your engine stays well lubricated. This means that you should change your vehicle’s oil as frequently as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
The more you drive, the more you need to change the oil. This prevents excess wear and tear from naturally occurring elements such as dust, water, and dirt.
2. Cools Engine Components
Oil gets really thin in order to be able to move from one part of the engine to another. As it circulates, the oil absorbs heat from the hot engine components and transfers it away to the oil’s case.
3. Keeps the Engine Clean by Eliminating Oil Sludge
As the engine runs, the wear and tear on the moving parts of the engine cause sludge to form. This sludge stays in the oil and at the bottom of the engine.
Sludge reduces the ability of the oil to help in lubrication. Sludge also leads to overheating of the engine, which may cause the engine to wear out faster.
The Bottom Line: The Importance of Changing Your Nissan’s Motor Oil
Changing your vehicle’s engine oil is important to keep your vehicle running at its optimum level. The oil is responsible for keeping your engine from overheating and grinding to a halt.
Changing your oil will also help you to avoid engine sludge, which can be detrimental to your Nissan’s longevity.
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