Living in northern Minnesota means your vehicle faces some tough conditions—blazing hot summers, brutal winters, and dusty rural roads. At Itasca Automotive in Bigfork, we see firsthand how these extremes can stress your engine oil.
Here’s why sticking to regular oil changes is critical for keeping your car running strong.
Summer Heat and Dust Take a Toll
Summers up here can get hot and dry, and that’s rough on your engine
oil. High temperatures break down
oil faster, making it less effective at lubricating your engine. Add in the fine, talc-like dust from our gravel roads, and it’s a recipe for trouble. Even the best air filters can only catch so much. That dust sneaks into your engine, mixing with the
oil and creating a gritty sludge that wears down parts. Regular
oil changes flush out these contaminants before they do serious damage.
Winter Woes and Aging Injectors
Our harsh winters are even tougher. When temperatures plummet, fuel injectors—especially in vehicles with over 100,000 miles—struggle to fully atomize fuel. Instead of a fine mist that burns cleanly, worn or aged injectors can “spit” fuel, leaving unburned gas in your engine. This fuel mixes with your oil, thinning it out and reducing its ability to protect moving parts. In today’s engines with super-tight tolerances, this can lead to gunked-up components and costly repairs.
Why Long Oil Change Intervals Don’t Work Here
You’ve probably seen ads boasting 10,000-mile oil change intervals. Sounds great, right? But those claims don’t account for our extreme conditions. Car manufacturers push longer intervals to meet EPA regulations, but we’ve yet to meet a repair shop that thinks it’s a good idea. At
Itasca Automotive, we see the damage—worn bearings, sludged engines, and more—when oil isn’t changed often enough. Draining the oil is the only way to remove contaminants like dust and unburned fuel.
We’re Not in It for the Profit
Here’s the deal: oil changes aren’t a big moneymaker for us. We barely break even after spending time inspecting your vehicle and doing the job right. But we recommend frequent oil changes because it’s the best way to keep your engine healthy. At
Itasca Automotive, we’re about helping you avoid breakdowns and keeping your car or truck running for years, whether you’re hauling gear down a dusty county road or braving a -20°F morning.
Keep Your Vehicle Running Strong
Don’t let long oil change intervals fool you. In northern Minnesota’s extreme environment, more frequent oil changes are a small investment for a long, trouble-free vehicle life. Swing by
Itasca Automotive, and let’s keep your engine happy.
Got questions or
need a check-up? We’re right here in
Bigfork, ready to help!