In the automotive world, there are a lot of myths floating around, especially when it comes to oil changes. Unless you’re driving an electric car, every vehicle needs its oil changed sooner or later. But the specifics of when and how it should be changed aren’t always so clear. At Zima Automotive, we’ve changed a lot of oil in a lot of engines, so we’d like to help set the record straight.

These are three of the top oil change myths we hear and the truth behind them.

It’s a Lot Cheaper to Change Your Own Oil

In today’s DIY world, more and more people are trying their hand at simple repairs and maintenance routines in an effort to save money. When it comes to changing your own oil, however, you’re not going to really save any money. The majority of the expense behind an oil change comes from the cost of the oil and the filter. These are things you will have to pay for regardless.

Also, changing your own oil is messy. You’ll need to get under your car, and once you drain the old oil, you’ll need to properly dispose of it. Auto shops are simply better equipped to change a car’s oil, and they can do it for a comparable price.

Additionally, if you’re going to a true auto shop rather than a quick lube facility, you can have a mechanic look over your vehicle and check for developing issues. It’s generally much cheaper to fix something before it breaks.

You Need to Change Your Oil Every 3000 Miles

This is a myth that stems from earlier generations of cars that needed more frequent oil changes. Today, it’s mostly kept alive by quick lube shops and grandparents. If you check your car’s manual, you’ll find it recommends changing your oil at 5000 miles at the earliest. Some may even list 10,000 miles or more. The frequency of when your oil should be changed can vary depending on driving habits, your engine, and the oil that’s used. Speaking of…

Oil Quality Doesn’t Matter

There are some people out there who seem to think that more expensive oil types exist to charge customers more money. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Premium oil changes have a higher price tag because they use synthetic oil, which is more expensive.

Why does synthetic oil cost more?

Conventional oil (the cheap stuff) contains small impurities that weaken its structure, causing it to break down faster. This also leads to more build-up in your engine. The end result is you have to change your oil more frequently and your engine runs less efficiently.

By comparison, synthetic oil is modified with additives to create a stronger, more effective product. Full synthetic oil helps engines run cooler, increases gas mileage, maximizes performance, and ultimately extends your engine’s life. In other words, oil quality matters a lot.

Some vehicles require synthetic oil, but even those that don’t require it still enjoy its benefits. That’s why we only use full synthetic oil at Zima Automotive. It’s our goal to make sure our customer’s vehicles are running their very best so you can avoid costly breakdowns and future hassles.

For oil changes in Springfield and Urbana, Ohio, you can trust in Zima Automotive. For added convenience, we even offer free pick-up and drop-off service.