Auto Maintenance: Ford E-250 Oil Change

  

Oil Change

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Relevant Background:  "The oil and the oil filter need to be periodically replaced; the process is called an oil change. While there is an entire industry surrounding regular oil changes and maintenance, an oil change is a relatively simple car maintenance operation that many car owners can do themselves. It involves draining the oil from the engine into a drip pan, replacing the filter, and adding fresh oil...In engines, there is some exposure of the oil to products of internal combustion, and microscopic coke particles from black soot accumulate in the oil during operation. Also, the rubbing of metal engine parts produces some microscopic metallic particles from the wearing of the surfaces. Such particles could circulate in the oil and grind against the part surfaces causing wear. The oil filter removes many of the particles and sludge, but eventually, the oil filter can become clogged, if used for extremely long periods....The motor oil and especially the additives also undergo thermal and mechanical degradation, which reduces the viscosity and reserve alkalinity of the oil. At reduced viscosity, the oil is not as capable of lubricating the engine, thus increasing wear and the chance of overheating. Reserve alkalinity is the ability of the oil to resist the formation of acids. Should the reserve alkalinity decline to zero, those acids form and corrode the engine....Some engine manufacturers specify which Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) viscosity grade of oil should be used, but different viscosity motor oil may perform better based on the operating environment. Many manufacturers have varying requirements and have designations for motor oil they require to be used. This is driven by the EPA requirement that the same viscosity grade of oil used in the MPG test must be recommended to the customer. This exclusive recommendation led to the elimination of informative charts depicting climate temperature range along with several corresponding oil viscosity grades being suggested... " (Motor oil - Wikipedia)

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Relevant Stats: "The U.S. oil change services industry is employer to some 93,000 people and generates approximately 10 billion U.S. dollars in revenue every year..." (U.S. oil change services market: key figures 2022 | Statista)

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Relevant Background: "Insufficient oil level: when the oil level is low, your engine overheats, parts melt, and the bearings ultimately become damaged..." (Can a Seized Engine be Fixed? (carotechautomotive.com))

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Relevant Background: "Oil is a key factor in keeping your car running, and a low oil level could be detrimental. Engines create heat, and oil flows through them to cool each moving part. No oil means no cooling. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to spot signs of engine damage from no oil and what early low oil signs to look out for..." (How to Tell if Engine Is Damaged from No Oil: Causes & Signs (wikihow.com))

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Relevant Background: "Typically, an oil and filter change using conventional oil will cost between $35 and $75, depending on your area. If your car requires synthetic oil, you should expect to pay more (anywhere from $65 to $125) but you make up some of the cost, since synthetic oil lasts longer and has to be changed less frequently..." (Oil Change Prices & Cost Estimates | Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com))

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Relevant Coverage: 

a) Travel & Health 

b) Auto Insurance 

c) Personal Property Coverage 

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