Why Oil Changes are Important in Winter?
As winter approaches and the temperatures are sliding down, you will start to notice frost on your car’s windshield. At the same time, you may also notice that your vehicle is operating a little noisier and more sluggish than usual. Along with the frost on your windshield, cold temperatures cause motor oil to thicken and slow the flow through the engine block.
This cold oil triggers a domino effect in various parts of your car—your car battery has to work harder in cold weather to generate the power to run the engine; fuel efficiency is decreased because it takes longer for an engine to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature; and the friction between the moving parts of an engine and transmission is decreased, causing them to wear faster than usual.
Here are a few tips about oil changes:
- Choose the right weight – Oil is measured by its viscosity (how thick or how thin), which is a rating grade by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Ask your mechanic which weight of oil is best for your car in winter.
- Check your manufacturer's recommendations – Check your owner’s manual to understand the manufacturer's recommended guidelines for the right kind of oil for your vehicle, either for winter or summer temperatures.
- Consider synthetic oil – Synthetic oil provides the best protection for both extremely hot or cold temperatures. It contains fewer impurities, provides better protection, longer oil change intervals, greater resistance to breakdown, improved cold weather starts, and improved fuel mileage.
- Keep your oil clean – Engines produce metal fragments that can cause harm as they flow through the engine. Routine oil changes help "flush" out these fragments with the dirty oil.
- Choose a high-quality filter – This is worth the extra cost as it adds extra protection for the engine, catching the contaminants that could otherwise be circulated.
Need to know more about why oil changes are important in winter? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Phil’s Service to schedule an appointment and to ask about our oil change coupons. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Killeen, TX, and the surrounding area.
As winter approaches and the temperatures are sliding down, you will start to notice frost on your car’s windshield. At the same time, you may also notice that your vehicle is operating a little noisier and more sluggish than usual. Along with the frost on your windshield, cold temperatures cause motor oil to thicken and slow the flow through the engine block.
This cold oil triggers a domino effect in various parts of your car—your car battery has to work harder in cold weather to generate the power to run the engine; fuel efficiency is decreased because it takes longer for an engine to reach its most fuel-efficient temperature; and the friction between the moving parts of an engine and transmission is decreased, causing them to wear faster than usual.
Here are a few tips about oil changes:
- Choose the right weight – Oil is measured by its viscosity (how thick or how thin), which is a rating grade by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Ask your mechanic which weight of oil is best for your car in winter.
- Check your manufacturer's recommendations – Check your owner’s manual to understand the manufacturer's recommended guidelines for the right kind of oil for your vehicle, either for winter or summer temperatures.
- Consider synthetic oil – Synthetic oil provides the best protection for both extremely hot or cold temperatures. It contains fewer impurities, provides better protection, longer oil change intervals, greater resistance to breakdown, improved cold weather starts, and improved fuel mileage.
- Keep your oil clean – Engines produce metal fragments that can cause harm as they flow through the engine. Routine oil changes help "flush" out these fragments with the dirty oil.
- Choose a high-quality filter – This is worth the extra cost as it adds extra protection for the engine, catching the contaminants that could otherwise be circulated.
Need to know more about why oil changes are important in winter? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Phil’s Service to schedule an appointment and to ask about our oil change coupons. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Killeen, TX, and the surrounding area.
