Under the hood of your vehicle, especially one as powerful as BMW, there are a number of parts that need to be maintained in order to ensure the performance you love. What is often not talked about, however, is the importance of ensuring the systems that keep those parts functioning.
Oil changes are an incredibly important aspect of your vehicle’s overall health and should be done whenever necessary. Most manuals that come with your vehicle list how often your model should be taken in for an oil change, but the typical number is anywhere in the range of three to six months. Don’t neglect to take your car into the shop as it can cause detrimental issues under the hood if you do.
Why is Oil so Important?
To actually understand why you need to take your vehicle in for oil changes whenever necessary, it’s important to briefly look at what exactly oil does for your vehicle under the hood. In short, the main purpose of oil is to act as the ultimate lubricant for your engine and keep all of the metal parts from grinding against one another and causing metal shavings to form.
As oil goes throughout your engine bay, the many parts are able to work as they should with one another. This lack of excessive friction also helps to keep heat regulated under the hood. Another little known fact about oil, though, is that it is also used as a cleaning mechanism for the engine.
Surely at some point in your life, you have seen or felt oil. If so, you have also seen how sticky and thick oil can be, which is exactly what makes it the perfect cleaning agent. As oil goes through your engine, it picks up any particles or shavings that may have come off inside the engine and carries them along. Eventually, the oil gets to something known as the oil filter where it deposits these shavings and then continues on its never-ending journey.
When the oil is not changed at the proper time, its ability to clean the engine is what is compromised most. The parts under the hood may still be lubricated, but your oil is likely to become tainted and full of particles, such as metal shavings. Then, when the oil enters the engine, it will deposit these shavings, rather than carry them out. This can be detrimental to your engine performance as a whole.
How to Know When You Need an Oil Change
Fortunately, there are a number of signs that indicate when an oil change is necessary under the hood. If you spot any of the following signs, take your car in as soon as possible. It isn’t the end of the world if you are a month late on your oil, but you shouldn’t even push your car that far when it is time for a change.
Your Owner’s Manual Says It’s Time
Although it may sound redundant, listening to your owner’s manual is the best way to ensure proper vehicle performance. The BMW manufacturers know what they are doing and are aware of how long you should go before changing your oil. Don’t ignore your owner’s manual.
Oil Change Light
As with the check engine light, there will be a light that turns on when it is time to change the oil in your car. If you have a new BMW model, you may actually be able to see the oil’s life on your dashboard. Don’t allow it to get too low before taking the car in.
Oil Smell Inside the Car
Assuming it has been some time since you’ve got an oil change and you have no other way of knowing, smelling oil from the passenger area of your vehicle is a great sign that you need to change your oil.
H&A Service And Sales For Your BMW Needs
At H&A Service and Sales, we understand what your BMW needs and how often the oil should be changed under the hood. We are experts capable of tackling this issue and can get the correct oil in your car in no time at all so that you can get back out on the road. Our experienced technicians have worked with clients around Cobb County, Kennesaw, Woodstock, and Marietta, GA, which means that we are a trusted name in the community. Please give us a call or come on down and visit for yourself today to see why we are the best in the business.