South Star Chrysler

                                                                                                                                                         

How often should I change my oil?
If money were no object, you could never change your engine oil too often.  However if you don't change it frequently enough you can cause a lot of serious damage. The most common oil change  interval is every 3,000 miles and this is what South Star Chrysler recommends for most customers.

One of the main reason oil needs to be changed is because large quantities of water are produced by temperature and humidity changes and short stop and go driving where the engine never reaches the proper operating temperature.  Depending on engine wear, some of this condensation gets into the crankcase where the oil resides.  The crankcase breathing system helps remove some of this, but even so, in cold weather a lot of condensation will take place. Water is not known for its lubrication qualities. In addition, water present in the oil for an extended period of time can emulsify the oil and helps to form sludge.

The most sever type of driving an oil can be subjected to is short drives and intermittent operation where the engine and oil never has time to reach normal operating temperatures.

What is the best way to check the oil level?
If your engine is cold (for example it has been parked overnight) you can check the oil level right away. The oil will have had time to settle back into the oil pan.   Make sure the car is level before you do. If the engine is warm or hot (after you've been driving) then you should wait a few minutes to let as much oil as possible drain from the top of the engine back down into the oil pan.

It is very possible that if you check the dipstick just after shutting down the engine, you may get an erroneous reading.  This happens because a quantity of oil, up to a quart, is still confined in the oilways and passages of the engine, and takes some time to drain back into the oil pan on the bottom of the engine.  A common problem is to check the oil before it has had time to fully drain back to the oil pan and then see what appears to be a low level on the dipstick.  This in turn results in adding more oil which causes the engine to be over-filled with oil.  Overfilling your engine with to much oil can cause problems which are addressed below.

On Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products, the the dipstick will have a yellow handle that says "Engine Oil".  Hook a finger through the yellow loop and pull the dipstick all the way out.  Use a paper towel or rag to wipe the dipstick clean so that you will have a clear reading. Insert the dipstick back into its opening and push it firmly all the way back, as far in as it will go.

          

Pull the dipstick out all the way again, this time reading the oil level. The dipstick has markings on it indicating a range for acceptable oil level (between the scribed lines where it says SAFE). If the oil level is too low, appropriate motor oil must be added before the car should be driven. When you are done, replace the dipstick in its opening, making sure it is fully seated.  If you have any questions, feel free to stop by South Star Chrysler and will will be happy to show you how to check your oil.

What happens when you overfill your engine with oil?
 Depending on the amount of overfill, you could run into an oil aeration problem.  When the oil level is correct, it is really close to the rotating crankshaft.  Oil aeration is caused when the oil level is high enough in the oil pan that the crankshaft dips into the oil and churns it into a foamy mixture. This concoction of air bubbles and oil can be forced into the bearings and doesn?t work well as a lubricant.  The oil looses most of its protection properties in this state and could cause damage to the engine bearings.
Another frequent consequence of overfilling your engine with oil is the crankcase pressure may also increase and eventually you might blow a front or rear main seal.  Along with this excess oil gets thrown up into the piston bores where the piston rings have a hard time coping with the excess oil and pressure. It gets into the combustion chamber and some of it can get out into the exhaust system unburned which can cause problems with your catalytic converter.