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Engine Maintenance

Engine Maintenance

Maintaining your engine is the fundamental essence of automotive care and ownership, yet it often proves to be a challenging aspect for many drivers. Given that the engine is the most vital component in your car, it deserves to be at the forefront of your list of priorities.

We’ll discuss all the necessary procedures required to ensure the well-being of your engine, detailing when and how often these tasks need to be performed. Additionally, we will delve into the significance of utilizing high-quality parts and lubricants, exploring their impact on both the health and performance of your engine.

Why is engine maintenance so important?

Your typical engine is a fascinating piece of machinery. To many, it may seem like nothing more than a noisy mass of metal, producing vibrations and propelling the car forward. However, in reality, it is a device that harnesses the power of explosions occurring thousands of times per minute, converting that energy into either forward or backward motion.

Every time you initiate the ignition, you set off a sequence of pure force—a clash between the explosive might of chemical reactions and the resistance of the metal pushing against it.

Sustain this process for an extended period, and wear and tear will inevitably set in. Additionally, the constant explosions cause numerous mechanical components to spin and move at an extraordinary speed. This wouldn’t be problematic on its own if not for a crucial factor: friction.

The majority of engines operate within tight tolerances, with minimal spaces between pistons and cylinder walls, cams, and other moving parts, leading to friction. Friction, in turn, generates heat, resulting in material fatigue. The only effective way to mitigate friction is through the use of lubricants. Modern engine oils are specifically formulated to lubricate various engine components and counteract the damaging effects of friction.

However, all contemporary oils have a finite lifespan and necessitate periodic replacement. If oil changes are neglected, the oil will degrade to a point where it no longer provides adequate protection to the engine. Hence, the significance of regular oil changes.

Engine Maintenance starts with an Oil Change

Engine maintenance encompasses a wide array of tasks, with various maintenance cycles, some occurring annually or biannually, while others are less frequent. Nevertheless, at the heart of all engine maintenance procedures are oil changes.

Oil Change - How often and with what oil?

Engines are designed to endure for hundreds of thousands of miles. Yet, achieving such substantial mileage is contingent upon timely oil changes. As previously mentioned, engine oil deteriorates over time.

Frequent and repeated combustion cycles, friction, elevated temperatures, and other contributing factors collectively contribute to the gradual breakdown of engine oil. Eventually, the oil ceases to provide effective protection to internal engine components, resulting in premature wear.

How often do I really need an oil change?

Are you a follower of highly debated automotive topics? Because this is undeniably one of them. The crux of the matter is that car manufacturers consistently provide recommendations on how often to perform oil changes on their vehicles, the type of oil to use, and more. These recommendations are formulated based on various statistics, where average values are extrapolated and utilized as a general guideline.

Car manufacturers often suggest oil change intervals of 10,000 to 20,000 miles for high-quality synthetic oils like Motul and other top-tier brands. But are these estimates accurate? It varies.

What is not frequently highlighted in user manuals is that the rate of oil degradation is also influenced by individual driving habits. Cars driven short distances daily will accelerate the deterioration of engine oil much more than vehicles predominantly used for consistent highway driving.

Similarly, an engine consistently operating near the redline will necessitate more frequent oil changes compared to an engine driven by a more conservative driver, such as a sweet old lady residing at the end of your street.

In essence, engines subjected to rigorous use should undergo oil changes within 10,000 miles, preferably around 6,000. Might it be considered excessive? Perhaps, but it’s a precautionary measure aimed at potentially preventing premature wear and extending the life of your motor.

Oil Filters

Much like the impact of your oil selection, the choice of oil filters also holds significant importance. Not all filters are created equal, and the least expensive ones often come with a justified reason for their low cost. Various factors contribute to this, including the type of filtration media used and the presence of built-in safety features.

Oil Filter Filtration Media

Every oil filter employs a form of filtration media to capture debris circulating through your engine’s oil. If you were to dissect an oil filter, you’d discover an elongated strip of microglass or synthetic media (common in higher-end filters), pleated and meticulously arranged around the primary oil chamber. Over time, this filtration media becomes saturated.

A congested filter poses a significant threat to an engine, as it can easily result in oil starvation. All modern, high-quality oil filters are equipped with built-in features designed to avert oil starvation caused by a saturated filtration media. When the filter reaches a point where it can no longer supply the engine with sufficient oil, a safety bypass valve is activated, permitting unfiltered oil to flow directly into the engine.

In contrast, inexpensive oil filters either lack this crucial feature or come with a bypass valve of questionable effectiveness. In any case, opting for a quality oil filter is imperative. Choosing a Genuine part or products from reputable manufacturers like MANN-Filter ensures the utmost reliability and safety.

How Often Should You Change Your Oil Filter?

Similar to opinions on oil changes, experts hold differing views on the frequency of oil filter replacements. Some advocate changing the oil filter every other time you change your oil, roughly around 15,000 miles, while others recommend changing the oil filter with each oil change.

Our inclination aligns with the latter perspective. We suggest changing both the oil and oil filters every 6,000 miles. Is this oil change cycle potentially excessive for most vehicles and drivers? Probably.

However, regular oil changes serve as a cost-effective insurance policy for your engine. It is strongly advised to adopt a regimen of frequent oil changes, especially if you intend to keep your car for an extended period.

Engine Fluids

Though engine oil stands out as the most crucial fluid in your car, it’s not the sole liquid that necessitates frequent changes. Virtually every engine, with the exception of a few vintage boxers (Porsche), relies on liquid cooling.

Engine Coolant Liquid

The coolant used in modern cars is a complex liquid. So much so that different engines require different types of coolant.

In the context of engine maintenance, it’s important to understand that coolant undergoes degradation over time, even in the case of long-life coolants. Changing the coolant every 2 years is an excellent practice to ensure everything remains in proper condition and operates smoothly.

Power Steering Fluid

If your vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic power steering rack, it’s essential to periodically inspect the fluid level. Ensuring that your power steering pump has an adequate amount of fluid to operate the system is crucial. The last thing you want is to deprive your power steering system of fluid.

While it can function with leaks (although driving with a leaking power steering system is not recommended), it will come to a screeching halt if it runs out of fluid.

Timing Belts and Chains

Every engine employs a form of timing mechanism to synchronize the lower part (crankshaft) and upper part (valve train and cams). While many engines utilize reinforced rubber belts, others feature timing chains, and some even incorporate timing sprockets.

Timing belts undergo wear and tear with usage. Car manufacturers provide fairly precise recommendations on when to change your timing belt, typically falling within the range of 40,000 to 60,000 miles. It is highly advisable to adhere to your car manufacturer’s guidelines.

Exceeding the recommended limits for a timing belt may lead to snapping. If your car is equipped with an interference engine, as most are, this could result in the pistons colliding with the valves, resulting in a costly repair.

Timing chains present a different scenario. Chains have the potential to outlast the car if maintained properly. The maintenance of timing chains primarily involves regular oil changes and ensuring that your engine consistently maintains sufficient oil levels. Insufficient or contaminated oil can cause wear between the chain and the various sprockets it engages with. Additionally, contaminated oil can damage chain tensioners, causing the chain to skip a tooth and misalign the engine.

Accessory Belts

Accessory belts are responsible for driving the secondary systems in an engine, such as the alternator, power steering, the AC compressor, and more, depending on your vehicle. Commonly referred to as the serpentine belt, due to its serpentine shape along the side of the engine, this crucial component should be replaced approximately every 5 years.

In the event of a serpentine belt snapping, it usually won’t cause damage to the engine, but you will lose all your accessories.

Air Intake Filter

Finally, let’s discuss air intake filters. The combination of air and fuel is what propels cars, and your engine requires clean, preferably cold air to form an optimal fuel/air mixture. An air filter plays a crucial role in supplying the engine with the necessary air while preventing debris from entering the combustion chambers.

Air filters accumulate dirt over time. A general guideline is to replace your air intake filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or during every other oil change.

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