One of the most important maintenance tasks for your Toyota is an oil change. While most car owners know this, they often have a lot of questions about this type of service. Today, we want to answer some common Toyota oil change questions we receive at Centennial Toyota.

Q: Why are oil changes so important? 

A: Oil plays a vital role in the health and operation of your vehicle. First, it supplies the moving parts in your engine with essential lubrication to avoid harmful friction. Oil gets thick over time, however, and it eventually turns into sludge, which is why it needs to be changed periodically. 

Q: What happens if I don’t change my oil? 

A: Sludge will eventually clog up the works in an engine, dramatically hurting both its performance and gas mileage. If you wait too long to do something about old oil, it will lead to engine failure. This may result in a very expensive repair and perhaps even the need for a new engine.  

Q: When should I get my oil changed? 

A: You should plan on getting your oil changed every six months or so, regardless of how many miles you put on your car. If you want to go by mileage, the general recommendation is every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. However, even when a car sits, oil degrades, and over time it won’t be able to do its job properly.  

Any other questions about oil changes? Have you realized that your car may be due for one? Get in touch with our Toyota service center at Centennial Toyota near Henderson.