Oil Change

Waterfall Garage uses Forté oil products. Forté is renowned for offering top-quality engine treatments. Their exclusive products are regularly used by more than 8,000 garages across the UK

With over 40 years of experience in the UK, Forté has been assisting and advising garages about how to improve vehicle performance and increase customer satisfaction.

The Importance of Regular Oil Changes

For those who drive petrol or diesel vehicles, oil is crucial for efficient operation and vehicle longevity. However, many drivers are unaware of the significant benefits that come with regularly changing their oil and filter. Here are the top 5 benefits:

1 – Enhanced Performance and Fuel Efficiency

To ensure optimal vehicle performance, fresh oil and a new filter are essential. Old oil can hinder performance and clog the engine, whereas new oil keeps it well lubricated for smoother operation. While various factors influence how many miles per gallon a car will do, fresh oil reduces engine friction, improving fuel efficiency and performance.

2 – Prevention of Corrosion and Protection of Engine Components

Regular oil changes prevent engine corrosion, as dirty oil can damage engine parts. Most vehicles have oil filters that need annual replacement. Regular oil changes ensure these filters remain effective, protecting the engine’s performance.

3 – Maintaining Engine Cleanliness and Longevity

Regular oil changes remove accumulated residue through the oil filter, keeping the engine clean. This process prevents build-up that can damage components like the camshaft, crankshaft, and pistons. Clean oil ensures these parts function properly, improving fuel efficiency, emissions, and performance.

4 – Reducing Emissions for Environmental Protection

Annual emissions tests measure hydrocarbon levels from the exhaust. Dirty oil can increase hydrocarbon build-up, raising the level of emissions. Regular oil and filter changes help limit the emissions to the level intended by the manufacturer, limiting the likelihood of am MOT test failure, and also reducing your vehicle’s environmental impact.

5 – Cost Savings

Regular oil and filter changes save money over time. Neglecting these services can lead to increased oil and fuel consumption, as well as costly repairs for worn or damaged components. By maintaining a regular oil change schedule, you can avoid these extra expenses and ensure your car runs smoothly.

The ‘Black Death’ – the importance a regular oil change

Oil is the essential lubricant in your car’s engine, allowing the metal parts to move against each other without damage, like the pistons as they move up and down in the cylinders. If there was no oil, the metal-to-metal friction would generate so much heat that the surfaces would weld themselves together, and then you end up with a seized engine like the one in the picture below…

In addition, oil helps to draw heat away from the combustion chamber, the place where there are thousands of controlled explosions of petrol happening every minute. And lastly, oil helps to prevent carbon and varnishes from collecting in the engine.

What happens if you don’t have an oil change?

Over time, without a regular oil change, oil becomes dirty and clogged up. The oil filter removes dirt for a while, but eventually it will get clogged up and the dirty oil then automatically bypasses the filter through a special relief valve (designed because it’s better to have dirty oil pumping round than no oil at all!)

Eventually, as the oil gets dirtier and dirtier and thicker and thicker, it will stop lubricating altogether. The pistons can seize, the camshafts could be damaged, or there can be other extensive problems, sometimes known in the trade as the ‘Black Death’ – just look at the picture of the ruined engine…

The bill for repairs like these makes having a regular high-quality oil change look like spare change. In fact, you could think of regular oil changes as very cheap insurance for your cars’ engine.