Oil Change
Volkswagen Conventional & Synthetic Oil Change Service Information
The engines inside Volkswagen vehicles are marvels of German engineering seamlessly blending power and efficiency in a way that's nothing short of artful. But, as with all gas engines, they need oil to function--which means regular oil changes. This is one of the more common services at Archer Volkswagen. Below, we take a closer look at just what the oil does, and why regular oil changes are an essential part of keeping your Volkswagen in top shape.
Why Does My Volkswagen Need an Oil Change?
The main function of motor oil is to lubricate your car's engine. The engine itself contains many moving metal parts. If they were to move without lubrication, the friction would cause immense damage. So, when the engine is running, oil is pumped through to keep everything lubricated. While this is the main purpose of engine oil, it's not the only thing it does. Although the cooling system is the main way that excess heat is taken from the engine, the oil also helps by reducing heat-causing friction. What's more, engine oil picks up particles of debris to be collected by the oil filter, where they won't be able to do damage to the inner workings of the engine. Additionally, detergent additives in engine oil can help keep your engine cleaner.
At the end of the day, oil works hard. And, over time, it will wear down. Its ability to lubricate the engine goes away and old oil isn't able to keep contaminants at bay as well, which puts the engine at risk of damage. Go long enough without an oil change and the engine itself will break down. Because of this, regular oil changes are necessary.
Which Oil Should I Use?
You may have noticed that there are many kinds of oil available. The biggest difference is between conventional and synthetic. These two are processed differently. Synthetic oil contains fewer impurities and a more even structure than conventional oil. This means synthetic stands up to the high heat of the engine better, taking longer to break down than conventional oil. It is, however, more expensive.
Beyond that, you may notice combinations of numbers and letters like SAE 5W-30 or 10W-40. The numbers tell you the viscosity of the oil, and the W stands for Winter. SAE is short for the Society of Automotive Engineers, who set the standards for measuring oil viscosity. To see how these numbers work, let's take 5W-30 as an example. The 5W means that it has a viscosity rating of 5 when the oil is cold. The next number, 30, rates the viscosity of the oil when the engine is at operating temperature. Your Volkswagen owner's manual will tell you which viscosity to use. In addition, some oils are designed specifically for high-mileage cars, heavy-duty use, and more. These will be marked accordingly.
How Often Should I Have My Oil Changed?
This depends on many factors. The old recommendation was that your engine should get new oil every 3,000 miles. This advice still holds true for many vehicles today. If you have an older Volkswagen, or if you use conventional oil, it's best to change your oil at least this frequently. However, a brand-new VW with synthetic oil can go longer between oil changes, sometimes even more than 5,000 miles. Ask one of our knowledgeable service advisors which is the best interval for your specific vehicle.
Schedule Your Next Oil Change
When your Volkswagen needs an oil change, we have several options. You can schedule an appointment by phone or use our convenient online scheduling tool. A comprehensive oil change is also one of our VW Service Xpress services, which means that you don't need an appointment at all. Just stop by Archer Volkswagen and we'll take care of it.