Feb 27, 2024

Nearly three hundred million vehicles start up and drive off several times a week in the United States, making the oil change service industry invaluable. You may be due for an oil maintenance appointment at your local Ford dealer; but have you ever wondered why regular changes are so important?

1. Clean Oil Keeps Your Engine Running Smoothly

It’s often said that oil is the “lifeblood” of a vehicle. Regular changes can improve your engine’s overall function and keep your car operating at peak performance. This is especially important as the vehicle ages and mileage increases.

2. Clean Oil Improves Gas Mileage

Speaking of mileage, regularly changing your oil improves your gas mileage. Dirty oil, clogged filters, and other problems resulting from old oil can affect the vehicle’s gas economy. Saving money by avoiding oil maintenance will backfire because gas costs more on poorly maintained vehicles.

3. Clean Oil Protects the Engine from Wear and Tear

Since oil lubricates vital engine parts, it protects your vehicle from wear and tear. Regular maintenance can prevent overheating, contaminants from getting stuck inside parts, or parts grinding together and wearing out because of low oil.

4. A Damaged Engine Is More Expensive to Fix

Old oil means deteriorated oil. Since dirty oil can no longer break down contaminants and filters can only do so much, the engine could be very clogged by now. In some cases, ignored vehicles might already be too far gone to repair.

How Often Should You Bring Your Ford In for Maintenance?

Newer Ford vehicles (using synthetic oil) have upped the mileage standard to 5,000 or even 7,500 in some cases. It’s best to ask us how often oil maintenance is recommended, since Ford models from 2007 and before require slightly more attention, while Ford cars and trucks newer than 2008 need less.

Do You Still Need to Visit a Ford Dealer If You Hardly Ever Drive?

It’s best to bring your car or truck in two to three times a year, even if you haven’t been driving very much. Vehicles left in a garage for months on end don’t have clean oil. Over time, stagnant oil can lose its capacity to cool and lubricate the engine. Factors such as year and model, temperature, terrain, and how long the car has been inactive could also affect the oil quality, so it’s always best to ask.

Play it safe and always come in sooner rather than later. Visit us at Berkeley Ford, located at 2829 Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC, and let us help you keep your vehicle in top shape.