Why Regular Oil Changes Are the Cheapest Insurance Your Engine Will Ever Get

Another Perth daily rolled into the workshop this week for what’s arguably the most underrated service in the automotive world: a good old-fashioned oil and filter change. 🛢️ It’s the kind of job that doesn’t get much fanfare, but skip it for too long and your engine will let you know about it, usually with an expensive repair bill attached.

What Actually Happens During an Oil Change

An oil change is far more than just draining the old stuff and pouring in the new. Engine oil does a serious amount of heavy lifting, it lubricates moving components, helps regulate temperature, carries away contaminants, and forms a protective film that stops metal-on-metal contact inside your engine. Over time and kilometres, oil breaks down, loses viscosity, and becomes saturated with carbon, fuel dilution, and microscopic debris.

When we service a vehicle, we drain the old oil completely, replace the oil filter with a quality unit matched to the manufacturer’s specs, and refill with the correct grade for your engine. Using the wrong viscosity, or a cheap filter that bypasses too easily, can cause poor lubrication, increased wear, and even trigger warning lights on modern engines with tight tolerances.

The Bonus: A Proper Underbody Check

While your car is up on the hoist, it would be a waste not to take a proper look around. Every oil service at our workshop includes a full underbody inspection. We’re checking for:

• Oil and coolant leaks from gaskets, seals, hoses and the sump
• Suspension and steering components for play, worn bushes or torn boots
• Brake lines, exhaust mounts and driveline for corrosion or damage
• Tyre wear patterns that can hint at alignment or suspension issues

Catching a small leak or a worn CV boot early can save you hundreds, sometimes thousands, down the track. It’s the kind of preventative work that quietly extends the life of your car.

How Often Should You Be Booking One In?

It depends on your vehicle, oil type and driving conditions, but as a general rule, most modern petrol engines benefit from a service every 10,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Diesels, turbocharged engines, and cars doing a lot of short trips around Perth traffic often need it sooner. If you’re not sure when yours was last done, it’s probably due.

Keep your engine running smoothly and avoid the nasty surprises that come with neglected maintenance. Book your next oil and filter service with Romano’s Automotive in Perth by calling 0401 747 320 or 0483 932 306, or jump online and lock in a time at our booking page. No upsell nonsense, just honest work done properly.