Oil is one of your Toyota’s most essential fluids, as it enhances engine efficiency and enables it to work effectively. It slowly degrades over time, and older oil can cause serious damage to your engine if it’s not replaced. As your Toyota dealer, we want to tell you more about what oil does for your engine and why a regular oil change is important.
What Oil Does
Oil is pumped through your engine by the oil pump. As it moves through your engine, the oil coats engine components with a friction-resistant coating. This coating allows engine components to move at an efficient speed and suffer no friction damage. This is particularly important, as many engine components naturally generate friction, which could lead to additional damage if they’re not protected.
The oil’s fast movement helps to cool hot engine components, which reduces the engine temperature. The oil contains various additives, and two of the most important common additives break down carbon buildup in your engine, which could lead to blockages and reduce rust.
Types of Oil
There are three types of oil: synthetic, semi-synthetic, and conventional. Synthetic oil is created in a laboratory, semi-synthetic oil is a mixture of synthetic and conventional oil, while conventional oil is naturally obtained by drilling into the ground.
Regardless of the type of oil used, all oil will slowly break down and become less effective. The type of oil in your engine determines its replacement time. You can easily identify the oil in your Toyota by checking the details in your car manual.
When to Change the Oil
Synthetic oil usually needs replacement every six months or 6,000 miles. Semi-synthetic oil has an active life of five months or 5,000 miles, and conventional oil has the lowest replacement time of three months or 3,000 miles.
Why Change the Oil?
Oil absorbs dirt, minute metal fragments, and other debris as it passes through your engine. This debris accumulates in the oil and causes it to move slower. Slower moving is less effective at reducing the engine temperature and doesn’t supply the same level of friction protection it once did. Reduced friction protection leads to increased component damage and potentially more serious damage.
Changing the Oil
Our technicians drain the old oil and test it to identify any potential unseen engine issues that need repair. Once the oil has been drained, we remove and replace the old oil filter. We reseal the oil sump where the oil is stored and test it for leaks. Once the sump is sealed we refill your oil.
Changing the oil extends your engine life and improves engine efficiency. Visit our service department today at Ed Martin Toyota in Noblesville, IN.
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