Oil changes are routine — so routine that they’re easy to put off a few extra weeks, then a few extra months. But spring is a genuinely important time to stay current on your oil, and it comes down to what winter does to it.

Cold weather thickens oil, slowing circulation during the critical first seconds of a cold start. Short trips — the kind most Columbia drivers make running errands around town — don’t allow oil to fully reach operating temperature, which means moisture and combustion byproducts never fully burn off. Over a winter of cold mornings and short drives, your oil degrades faster than the odometer suggests.

Add the fact that summer temperatures are on the way, and the case for a spring oil change gets stronger. Fresh oil handles heat better. It lubricates more effectively as engine temps climb. And it gives your engine a clean slate heading into the most demanding driving season of the year.

If you’re close to your interval or past it, there’s no better time than March. And if you’re not sure what interval is right for your vehicle — whether you’re on full synthetic, conventional, or a blend — our team at Exhaust Plus Auto Center will look it up and make sure you get exactly what your engine needs.

We’re quick, straightforward, and right here in Columbia. Swing by this spring and we’ll take care of it.