Lately there has been a lot of discussion in the media on the topic of changing oil, specifically on how often it should be changed. It is my intention to convince my readers to change the oil in their vehicles every 3,000 miles. Let's first discuss the working environment inside the four-stroke internal combustion engine where the oil must do its job.
Friction comes from hundreds of moving metal parts rubbing against each other.
This creates intense heat and pressure which would destroy the engine in a very short period of time. The oil's job is to provide a lubricating film between the moving parts of the car's engine to decrease the friction and its negative effects. The oil performs the rest of the cooling function. As it circulates rapidly through the engine at 50 to 70 pounds per square inch pressure, the oil carries heat away from the camshaft, rods, pistons, and valve train. It is then circulated in the lower structure of the engine, where it is mixed with cooler oil.