Why Volkswagen Oil Changes Matter: Longevity and Efficiency

Is it time for an oil change from your VW dealer? What exactly does changing out the oil do for your engine? It makes a big difference both to the efficiency and longevity of your Volkswagen, and we’d like to explain why.

Why an Oil Change From Your VW Dealer Matters

What Oil Does

Oil is a simple thing and really quite old technology when it comes to the combustion engine, but the reason we still use it is because there’s nothing better. Your engine is a very hot, wild environment where metal is moving constantly. All the parts in your engine need to be protected, and that’s what oil does. Oil provides a thin sheen of lubrication that stops the metal from grinding on metal.

But that’s not all your oil does to protect the engine. Engines are also hot, and while your coolant system is the main component designed to deal with that heat, oil actually also removes heat as it passes through the engine. And as it’s passing through, oil picks up all the microscopic metal shavings that are generated by the explosions and movement in the engine as well as the dirt and grime that naturally get in there from the outside. Finally, oil provides rust protection and some protection against corrosion from road salt and chemicals (particularly modern synthetic oils).

How Oil Changes Help

When you get your oil changed, you also get your oil filter changed. The filter removes all of those metal shavings and bits of dust that we mentioned above from the oil, but as time goes along, that oil filter fills up. As it does, the oil itself has more and more crud in it and can’t do its job as effectively. The constant heat to which the oil is exposed slowly begins to break down even the hardiest of synthetic oils, and once it begins to break down, it can’t cool and protect your engine the way it’s supposed to.

Oil changes keep fresh oil running through your engine at all times. This keeps your engine from running too hot and also keeps it clean and protected. When your engine runs hot, you burn more gas, so regular oil changes increase your efficiency. When your engine runs hot or when it’s not well protected, it’s simply harder on the engine in general. The more frequently you go for extended periods without changing the oil after you should, the more strain you put on the engine and the shorter its life will be, all other things being equal.

Oil does a lot to protect your engine, so if it’s time for your Volkswagen to get service, schedule service with us at Ewald Volkswagen of Menomonee Falls, WI today.

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