Changing the oil in your car is one of the most routine maintenance tasks that you can do to help extend the life of the vehicle. Despite this being a simple and critical type of maintenance, it is a process commonly misunderstood by car owners, and this can lead to them potentially making mistakes that could compromise their vehicles.

Myth: Synthetic Oil Always Provides Worse Performance for a Vehicle's Engine

There is a common assumption among some individuals that synthetic oil is inferior. However, this is simply a myth that has little grounding in reality. Modern synthetic oils are designed to offer effective and consistent performance to vehicles. In fact, these oils may even be able to offer better performance when the engine is operating at high temperatures as it will be less likely to degrade or experience a change in viscosity as a result of the extreme temperatures.

Myth: It Is Always Easier to Change Your Own Oil

Not surprisingly, it is common for individuals to look for more affordable or generally easier solutions when it comes to completing basic maintenance to their vehicles. This can lead to individuals assuming that changing their vehicles' oil on their own will always be the most practical option. In reality, this can be a fairly messy and difficult task for many individuals to do. Furthermore, individuals will still have to dispose of the used oil in a safe way, which will typically require it to be taken to a processing center. Pouring the old oil on the ground or down storm drains can have severe consequences for the environment, and individuals may face expensive fines if they are caught doing this. By taking the vehicle to a professional service center, you can avoid these hassles while still keeping your vehicle in good condition.

Myth: It Is Normal to Need to Periodically Add Oil to the Engine

Some individuals will find that their vehicles will periodically need to have oil added to them. This can be an issue that is particularly common with older vehicles. Unfortunately, some drivers may assume that this is normal, but it can indicate that there is a leak or other problems with the engine. Failing to address this problem can allow the leak to rapidly worsen, which can put the vehicle's engine at a much higher risk of suffering catastrophic damage. If you are finding that your car's engine is needing to periodically have more oil added to it, the vehicle should be taken to an oil change service to determine the source of the leak before substantial harm occurs to the vehicle.