Why do Motorists Change the Oil in their Vehicles in the Spring and Fall
Why do Motorists Change the Oil in their Vehicles in the Spring and Fall
Posted on June 17, 2021
When it comes to owning a vehicle, most drivers and owners know that your car must regularly go through a few maintenance procedures. While you need to check the fluids, battery, and other components of the vehicle frequently, some people change the oil in their car more often than other people. So, why do some people change their oil in the spring and fall? Should you change the motor oil in your car when the seasons change? Keep reading to find the answers to these questions and more.
Why is the Engine's Oil Important?
No matter what type of car you drive, if you have a fuel-injected engine, your engine is made up of several moving parts. These parts are made of metal and create a lot of friction and heat when they are in use for just a short time. Motor oil helps keep all of the engine's components well lubricated to help reduce friction and reduce the risk of components breaking and overheating.
Over time, your vehicle's oil can get filled with dirt and grime which will not allow the oil to lubricate the various parts in the engine as well. This is why most manufacturers suggest that you change your vehicle's oil every 5,000 to 7,500 kilometres.
Understanding Motor Oil Viscosity
Now that you know why the oil is important and why it should be changed regularly, let us explore why some drivers think that it is necessary to change their oil when the seasons change. To better understand the reason why, you must first understand motor oil viscosity.
Viscosity refers to how thick or thin the oil is. If the viscosity number is high, then the oil is thicker and flows slower. If the Viscosity number is low, then that means that the oil is thin and will flow faster. Because oil tends to flow slower when the temperature is below freezing, it is recommended that you use an oil with a low viscosity rating in the winter. And, because oil tends to flow faster when it is heated up to above 212 degrees, it is recommended that you use an oil with a higher viscosity rating during the warmer months or when you plan to take your vehicle on a long road trip.
Multi-Grade Oil
Before 1952, motor oil was only available in a single viscosity rating: 10, 20 30 40, or 50. For this reason, it was recommended that you changed your oil's viscosity rating every time the season would dramatically change, which was usually in the winter and summer.
However, since the early '50s, automotive oil has been offered in multigrade. This meant that there was now a "W" rating added to the bottle of motor oil. The "W" stands for winter and it adds a lower viscosity to help during colder months. So, a multigrade oil, like, SAE 10W-40, is the perfect consistency for both warm and cold temperatures. Multigrade oils are thick enough to work well in warm temperatures while also being thin enough to perform well in extremely cold temperatures.
Why Do Some Drivers Change their Oil in the Spring and Fall?
Before the 1960s, changing your oil every season was a must. Today, multi-grade oil has mostly taken away the need to change your oil in the spring and fall. However, many drivers still choose to change their oil with the changing seasons for several reasons.
First, many divers use the fall and spring as a reminder that their oil needs to be changed. If they make sure that they change their oil at the start of the season, this an easy way for them to remember to change their oil. Secondly, some drivers feel better having fresh oil put into their engine every six months. And lastly, some drivers change their oil in the spring and fall because it has been taught to them by previous generations.
If you would like to learn more about the different types of motor oil for your vehicle, or you would like to schedule an oil change with our service department, feel free to contact us today.