The Triangle’s Premier Independent Auto Service and Repair for Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche






SERVING RALEIGH - DURHAM - CARY - WAKE FOREST

 

2620 Rowland Road, Suite 101

Raleigh NC 27615

(919) 850-4355

About Oil Changes or How to Protect Your Engine


Our Washburn Motorsports mechanics are experts at servicing and repairing all Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche automobiles.  We have written this article to give you a brief overview of engine lubrication and the importance of periodic oil changes.


The basics of engine lubrication


Engine parts move very rapidly, and they need good lubrication to control the effects of friction.  Some basic facts about keeping your engine properly lubricated are:


  1. •Modern car engines run much hotter and at closer tolerances than those that were manufactured 20 or 30 years ago.  As a result they need better lubrication.

  2. •Engine oils are much higher quality than they used to be.

  3. •Synthetic oils - those that are manufactured from chemicals, and not refined from crude oil - are extremely slippery, and they are much better than standard oils.

  4. •Dirty oil does not lubricate as well as clean oil.


What will happen if I don't change my oil as recommended by the manufacturer?


The short answer is that you run the risk of ruining your engine.  The grit and grime that accumulate in engine oil will create more and more friction that will wear out critical engine parts.  Even worse, dirty oil can turn into a sludge that will clog your engine.  Sludge is a greasy, contaminated gel that sticks to engine parts and plugs oil passages (see the photo below).  When the flow of oil is restricted by sludge it cannot protect your engine.  Sludge is an engine killer.




I'm sure that you've see those cars on the highway that trail a plume of blue smoke behind them.  Those cars did not have regular oil changes, and the piston rings are shot.  The owners of those cars are going to pay some large repair bills to have their engines rebuilt or replaced.


What should I do to protect my engine?


First and foremost, make sure you have the right amount of oil in your engine.  Even clean oil won't protect your engine if there is too little of it.  You should use
your dipstick to check your oil level every month or so.  If you don't know how to do this, just stop in and we'll be happy to show you how.


Next, we recommend that you change your engine oil every 5,000 miles.  This may be sooner than your manufacturer recommends, but our experience tells us that 5,000 miles is a good rule of thumb.  It can never hurt to have clean oil.  Be sure to change your oil filter every time you change your oil, and use the right "weight" of oil.


Finally, we recommend that you use synthetic oil.  It's a little more expensive, but it does a much better job of lubricating your engine.  We use only synthetic oil at Washburn Motorsports.


We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.  Just stop in to see us or give us a call.





NOTE: This information is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as repair advice, and you should not attempt repairs or service based on the information contained on this website.

 

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