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Although changing your car oil can feel like an inconvenience, it is imperative to the health of your vehicle in the long run. The oil in your car operates as the support system for the rest of your vehicle. When the support system is down, everything suffers. 

At OK Tires, we want you to understand the top five reasons to change your oil and how we can help you make your car run as smoothly as possible. 

1) Protects engine through lubrication
Your engine contains pistons, valves, and other moving parts that operate at high rates of speed when driving. Without proper lubrication, the heat from these components will wear down the engine. 

Depending on the type of car you drive, you will need one of three types of oil. The owner's manual for your car will inform you of the type of oil your car requires.

Types of oil:

•    Synthetic: primarily for high-performance vehicles that require more expensive, chemically enhanced oil to last longer, run cleaner, and maintain viscosity.
•    Semi-synthetic: This oil provides many of the enhanced properties of synthetic oil but at a lower price than top-end products.
•    Conventional: primarily for older vehicles, this traditional, old-school oil has been used 
for decades by manufacturers.

2) Eliminates dirt, particles, and sludge
Another critical part your oil plays in your car is cleaning your engine. The motor oil picks up dirt as it maneuvers through all your engine parts. As time passes, oil breaks down and turns into "sludge." Dirt particles can cause significant damage to the engine, even stunting the vehicle's life. That is why constantly investing in routine oil and filter changes is imperative to keep your engine at peak condition.
  
3) Keeps engine components cool
With car engines reaching 200-230 degrees in normal operating conditions, heat is one of the main factors that creates oil breakdown. Retaining enough clean oil is vital to prevent too much friction, causing your engine to overheat.

If your car overheats, the temperature rises. When this happens, the heat impedes the airflow to the engine compartment and barrages the viscosity of the engine oil by penetrating and breaking the larger molecules. 

4) Prolongs the longevity of your vehicle
Like anything in life, the better you take care of things, the longer it will last. The same is true for your vehicle. Taking good care of your vehicle means regular oil and filter changes. When your engine works harder than necessary, you will have more mechanical issues down the road, reducing the lifespan of your car. 

Additionally, if you've maintained routine oil changes, your car will be valued higher if you want to sell your car.  

5) Improves gas mileage
Your engine is forced to work harder as your oil breaks down. When your engine works harder, it burns more gas. When you increase the recommended time between oil changes, you burn more gas per mile.

Regular oil changes ensure your car runs at peak efficiency, meaning you can go farther on one tank. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas mileage can be extended with the right oil.

Don't wait. Contact OK Tires today to have your oil changed.