Do you have a Mazda oil change coming up at Woodhouse Mazda? Thinking of skipping it? You certainly don’t want to put maintenance off in the winter, particularly an oil change — here’s why.
What Does Engine Oil Do?
Engine oil is used to lubricate the moving parts of your engine. This reduces friction which helps to keep the parts from rubbing together which can cause them to overheat and warp or become damaged. This also helps your engine to burn fuel and run more efficiently.
Why Do You Need to Change Your Oil in the Winter?
As your vehicle runs, your oil collects by-products from combustion and other particles. This can make it too dirty to flow in your vehicle. Cold temperatures can also thicken your engine oil, which also restricts its ability to move freely.
This puts a lot of strain on your engine, forcing it to work harder than usual. In turn, this also strains your battery, which is already compromised in cold weather.
Possible consequences of not changing your engine oil include:
- Engine damage from the excessive friction
- Complete engine failure if left untreated
- Dead battery due to the strain
- Reduced power and sluggish performance
- Diminished gas mileage
How Often Should I Change My Oil?
As a general rule of thumb, drivers should change their engine oil at least twice a year. Naturally, there are a lot of factors that affect your ideal schedule, including the cold weather. We encourage you to set up a service appointment with our trained technicians to see if the cold weather has compromised your engine oil.
Reach out to our Mazda dealership near Omaha, NE to set up a service appointment with our team today!
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