Love
it or hate it, advanced technology in cars is here to stay. The only trouble is
motorists are becoming overly reliant on engine sensors and warning lights on
their dashboard which could lead to a host of potential highway horrors, especially when it comes to
checking oil.
The
message is simple. Don’t avoid oil checks and rely on sensors to identify
problems. That’s the advice from Forté.
Why do I need oil?
Engine oil is mainly used to lubricate
the internal surfaces of an engine, reducing friction, heat and wear. The oil
cleans and coats the moving parts of the engine and using
the correct grade oil is crucial in ensuring the engine is protected and can
operate efficiently. Contamination
from by-products of combustion, unburnt fuel and moisture are absorbed by the
oil for removal at the next oil change.
Do I wait for the warning light to
come on?
In
a nutshell, no! Waiting for a warning light relating to a vehicle’s oil levels
is not the way to look after your engine. Oil levels should be checked
regularly and failing to check oil can cause major problems for your vehicle.
Typical problems include engine wear, which shortens the engine’s lifespan, and noisy engine components.
Research
has revealed:
· 50 per cent of
vehicles require regular oil top ups.
· One in five
vehicles are low on oil.
· 25 cars a day
are ruined due to lack of oil.
· Eight out of
10 cars checked recently needed oil top ups.
· New cars are
as much at risk as old ones.
· No warranty
covers repairs caused by lack of oil.
According
to Warranty Direct, drivers in the UK risk a potential average
bill of more than £1,400 by not checking their oil.
Furthermore,
research carried out for Halfords' National Oil Check Campaign in June and July
by www.CheckYourOil.co.uk shows that almost 50% of cars - a staggering 15
million - are either low or dangerously low on oil, mostly owing to the 1 in 3
drivers who never carry out this basic task.
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