The importance of periodically replacing engine oil in motorhomes

For many people, the holiday begins the moment they close the door behind them at home. The feeling of freedom, a pleasant temperature, the sun, and a relaxed atmosphere greet you! At least, when your motorhome or car has been sufficiently maintained. Nothing is more annoying than breaking down on the side of the road on your way to your holiday destination. In this article, you can read more about the maintenance of motorhomes, or more specifically: the importance of periodically replacing the engine oil in a vehicle. 

Replacing the engine oil is just one of the steps in maintaining your vehicle. Also, check the condition of your windscreen wipers, the interior filter, and for example, the air conditioning. You can perform some of the maintenance on motorhomes relatively easily yourself, with the instructions you find online. For example, take a look at a platform like AUTODOC, where numerous step-by-step guides and instructional videos can be found. 

Replace your engine oil before your next road trip 
It is recommended to change the engine oil of your motorhome before a long road trip to reduce the chance of engine problems. Especially when the oil change was a while ago. In general, engine oil should be replaced every 15,000 kilometers. 

Not only does the risk of breakdowns decrease with fresh engine oil; it also benefits your fuel consumption. You use less fuel with a well-lubricated engine. The fresh engine oil ensures that the various moving parts of the engine continue to work smoothly, which reduces wear on these parts. Furthermore, the engine can become polluted, and the engine oil helps to clean it. This extends the life of the engine and thus helps to prevent high maintenance costs.

Take your vehicle's specifications into account
When choosing the right engine oil, it is important to consider your vehicle's specifications. For some vehicles, such as a Volkswagen Polo, you can find specific information about engine oil on auto-onderdelen24.nl. This information helps you select the optimal oil for your engine, tailored to the recommended viscosity and manufacturer's requirements. Correctly matching the engine oil to your vehicle contributes to better performance and a longer engine life.

Comparing engine oil viscosity grades 
Also, consider the viscosity grade of the engine oil, indicated by an SAE number on the bottle or canister. It says something about the intended application of the engine oil. A low W-value, for example, makes the engine oil very suitable for cold, winter conditions. The advantage of a low W-value is that the oil quickly reaches the parts of the engine that need lubrication, thereby limiting wear on the engine parts. With engine oil with a higher W-value, this takes longer, causing the engine to wear out faster in cold conditions. 

The second number of the viscosity grade says something about the relationship between the performance of the engine oil and the length of journeys. A high value makes the engine oil suitable for short distances, while a low value is ideal for long trips. 

The table below shows examples of applications when using different types of engine oil. 
 

Tip: for the recommended viscosity of the motor oil, consult your Motorhome's manual. It often specifies which motor oil is most suitable. 

Benefits of regularly replacing motor oil 
Earlier in this article, some benefits of periodically replacing the motor oil were already mentioned. For example, good lubrication ensures smooth operation of the moving parts of the engine, which reduces wear and tear. This extends the life of an engine and helps prevent unnecessarily high maintenance costs.

A clean, well-maintained engine also leads to lower fuel consumption. This way, you can quickly recoup the cost of a new can of motor oil. Even more important is the fact that you can set off on the road with your Motorhome with peace of mind.