| I was actually a passenger in a car that was having an | | | | A larger amount of oil meant more flowing through the |
| active oil leak. The driver knew what was happening, | | | | engine cooling and lubricating and cleaning the engine. |
| and was warned to pull to the side of the road and call | | | | When I started to change the oil myself I kept on using |
| a tow truck, but she wanted to try to make it home. | | | | the larger oil filter. |
| Unfortunately, she didn't. The engine seized up, never | | | | Most new cars today don't call for their oil to be |
| to run again. What a foolish and costly mistake. | | | | changed quite as often as every 3,000 miles. Generally |
| The simple fact is that the engine in your car cannot | | | | it's 5,000 and some even more. I like to have the oil in |
| run without lubrication from oil. Heat and friction would, | | | | my car changed at least every 5,000 miles. That oil |
| as illustrated in the case above, cause the engine to | | | | change is actually more than an oil change. The |
| come to a full halt. | | | | technician gets to give your car a once over, checking |
| When I bought a new car many years ago and took it | | | | belts and hoses and other vital fluids. Generally we |
| in for it's first oil change the mechanic said to me that if | | | | don't even think about these things. It's much easier to |
| I kept the oil changed I'd get 200,000 miles out of the | | | | change a worn belt while your car is in the shop than |
| engine. He was right. I faithfully changed the oil every | | | | be broken down on the side of the road waiting for a |
| 3,000 miles and at 189,000 miles had to say goodbye | | | | tow truck. |
| to my faithful friend, not due to engine trouble, but due | | | | The simple act of changing the oil in your car may be |
| to a rusting frame. He also noticed that the oil filter that | | | | the best thing you can do to protect your car, and |
| was on my vehicle from the manufacturer was larger | | | | your investment in it. |
| than actually called for. He said this wasn't a bad idea. | | | | |