

By now you probably already know how important it is to get the oil changed regularly on your car, to help it last longer and perform reliably -- but what's all that oil really doing in there?
On this page, we'll go under the hood with you and explain four important ways in which the motor oil in your Subaru engine works to protect it. Engine oil is so important because it's doing more important tasks than you might realize! We're happy to explain them here at Capitol Subaru in Salem.

4. Oil Keeps the Engine Cool
Did you know that oil in your Subaru engine is a big part of what's keeping it cool?
While it's true that the cooling system is responsible for this job too, the engine oil also helps. As the oil is pumped through the engine, it flows through various channels and "galleries" so it can lubricate the entire engine. As it flows, it can pull away some additional heat from the engine's moving parts.
If the oil level in your engine is low, there won't be enough oil flowing to keep the engine properly cooled and lubricated -- and this can cause too much heat to build up for the cooling system to dissipate, leading to overheating. Superheated metal components in your engine can warp, melt and even fuse together, so keeping the engine cool is critical to safe, reliable operation.

3. Oil Suspends Particulates
Even when properly lubricated, tiny bits of metal from the engine can eventually flake off inside as moving parts do their thing. Dirt and dust can sometimes slip past the oil filter and into the oil system. And you don't want those particles getting places they shouldn't. When properly filled with quality oil, the engine will allow metal particulate, dirt and other foreign contaminants to remain suspended in the oil where they can't do any harm. Without the oil, these foreign particles could damage the engine. Instead, they just get drained out when you have the oil changed by our service team.
2. Oil Additives Keep the Engine Clean
A byproduct of the combustion process inside a car engine is carbon. Carbon is present in the exhaust gases, and carbon can sometimes reenter the engine. This can cause carbon build-up on the valves and pistons, robbing you of performance and causing major problems down the road.

To prevent carbon build-up, modern engine oil has many additives. These additives, mostly detergents and dispersants, prevent carbon from bonding with the metal parts of your engine. Instead, it stays suspended in the oil.
That's just one reason why changing the engine oil regularly is so important. It's also why engine oil turns dark brown even shortly after an oil change -- the engine oil picks up all sorts of metal and carbon particles, and keeps them from dirtying the engine itself. The more often you change the oil, the cleaner the inside of your engine will be, and the better it'll perform.
1. Oil Lubricates the Engine's Moving Parts
This one you probably already knew. Since the crankshaft, camshafts, pistons and valves, among other components inside your engine, rotate so rapidly, they generate tons of friction and heat. That friction needs to be mitigated, so engine oil flows to coat all these parts in a layer of oil that prevents friction damage.
Over time, the engine oil can separate. It can form a thick sludge and a thin, weak oil, neither of which are any good for protecting your engine. To prevent sludge build-up and keep your engine running its best, visit Capitol Subaru for an oil change! We'll even help you keep track of regular maintenance, like when your next oil change is due, to make properly caring for your Subaru as easy as possible.
Capitol Subaru of Salem
920 Auto Group Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-587-5500
- Service: 503-587-5500
- Parts: 503-587-5500