Does Engine Oil Need to Be Replaced?
3 Answers
Place the used oil container under the oil pan at the lower part of the vehicle's engine compartment. Use a specialized wrench to unscrew and remove the oil filter. Note that the location of the oil filter varies by vehicle model. Slowly loosen the oil pan drain bolt to release the old oil. After draining for a period of time, reinstall the drain bolt. Once fully drained, tighten the bolt, pour the new oil into the engine, and screw on the oil filter.
Yes, engine oil must be changed regularly. My car is a Nissan sedan, and I do a lot of highway driving. The manual specifies changing the full synthetic oil every 6,000 kilometers. When the engine is running, the oil lubricates the parts to reduce friction and carries away heat and contaminants. Over time, the oil oxidizes and thickens, affecting its performance. Last year, I forgot to change it, and the engine started making strange noises. A check revealed oil sludge buildup, and it almost caused damage. So now I check the dipstick every month, and if the oil level is low or the color is dark brown, I service it early. I also monitor driving conditions; if there's frequent traffic congestion or hot weather, the oil deteriorates faster and needs to be changed sooner. After developing this habit, my car's performance has stabilized, and fuel consumption has improved, saving me a lot compared to engine repairs. In short, don’t be lazy—change the oil regularly to protect the heart of your car.
Changing engine oil is a necessary expense but worthwhile in the long run. My family SUV is used for daily school runs, enduring heavy city traffic with poor oil pressure and accelerated wear. A basic oil change costing just over 200 yuan isn't expensive - delaying it risks oil breakdown causing engine overheating, increased fuel consumption, or even cylinder seizure requiring thousands in repairs. I once postponed to save money, only to regret it when fuel consumption spiked and the engine light came on. Now I inspect every 3 months or 5,000 km based on vehicle age, buying maintenance materials myself for better value. Quality oil ensures smooth engine operation, prevents unexpected failures, saves time and worry, and guarantees driving safety for worry-free family trips.