The Importance of Changing Your Oil in Your Honda

Honda is a brand known for its reliability and longevity, and the best way to get the most out of your new or used Honda is to make sure you routinely get your oil changed. Like any machine, regular maintenance is a necessity to keep your Honda at its peak performance. At Team Honda of Acadiana in Opelousas, our service team can assist with your next Honda oil change or any other Honda service. 

Why is an Oil Change so Important?

In a recent study by the Car Care Council, it was found that 22% of all vehicles have low or dirty engine oil. This is quite alarming because over one in every five vehicle owners could find themselves paying thousands of dollars when their engine malfunctions, versus just paying 100 dollars for an oil change once a year to keep that engine running smoothly.  There are a variety of reasons to get your oil changed routinely but here we will go over just a few benefits:

• Gas mileage improvement – The U.S. Department of Energy states that routine oil changes improve gas mileage by one to two percent which may not seem drastic upfront, but this quickly leads to you paying off your oil change by saving on gas alone. 
• Increases Vehicle lifespan – When your oil remains unchanged, buildup in your engine makes your engine work harder and consistently increases your chance of engine failure. 
• Prevents Overheating – When your engine lacks oil it causes more friction with all moving parts of the engine causing overheating far faster than an engine with the proper lubricant. 

When Should I Change my Oil?

There are a few telltale signs that it’s time to change the oil in your new or used Honda. Here are a few of the most common signs that you’ll need to keep an eye out for.

• Check Engine/Oil Change Light: If this light comes on, it’s because your vehicle is detecting low oil pressure which can come from low oil, dirty oil, or an oil leak.
• Smell of Oil: If you can smell the motor oil from the cabin of your vehicle, it means there’s likely a leak and you’ll want to get that checked out as soon as you can.
• Dark Brown or Black Oil Color: Checking your oil with the dipstick is easy and should be done anytime you’re worried or unsure about your oil quality or levels. If the oil looks dark brown or black, the oil has accumulated too much dirt or debris and needs to be changed.
• Loud Engine Performance or Knocking Noises: If your oil is old or dirty, it won’t lubricate the moving parts of your engine as smoothly and the higher friction will cause your engine to make more noise.
• Ticking Sounds When Starting: As soon as you start your used Honda, the engine will immediately start circulating the motor oil. If the texture of your oil is off, the engine will need more time and effort than it should to run properly. This may cause a “ticking” noise as the engine warms up which comes from the valves working to move the oil effectively.
• More Mileage Than Your Usual Commute: As a good rule of thumb, when you return from a long vacation or work trip, change your oil right away.

Honda Oil Changes in Opelousas

When looking for a Honda oil change near the Lafayette and Alexandria area or even any other form of Honda service near Opelousas, the trained and accommodating technicians here at our Honda Service Center at Team Honda of Acadiana will assist you every step of the way! Whether it be an oil change, or any other routine maintenance like tire rotations, fluid replacements, and more, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today or schedule a service appointment online!

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