If you’re a car owner, you appreciate the necessity of oil changes. Occasionally, you need to pull into a mechanic or a fast-service shop and get the oil drained, replaced, and filtered. It’s routine, mundane, and for the rest of us, it’s just what comes with owning an automobile. But what if you consider oil changes in a community where automobiles aren’t at the forefront of life, such as the Amish?
The term “Amish oil change” has been making the rounds on the internet for some time, usually used in a humorous context. Yet there’s a fascinating history behind it that speaks volumes about the Amish lifestyle, their traditions, and their perception by outsiders.
The Amish Lifestyle
The Amish are famous for their plain, old-fashioned way of life. They resist most technological advances, such as automobiles, grid electricity, and cell phones. The Amish use horse-drawn buggies instead of automobiles to get around. Their lifestyle is slower, more reflective, and focused on religion, family, and community.
Since they don’t operate automobiles, the Amish don’t require oil changes like you and I do. Their buggies are horse-powered, not engine-powered. So when a person says “Amish oil change” in jest, they’re typically talking about something quite distinct from what you’d receive at an auto service station.
What an “Amish Oil Change” Really Means
The phrase has two common meanings:
- Literal Horse Care – Since the Amish depend on horses instead of engines, the real equivalent of an oil change is taking care of the animals. Horses need to be brushed, fed, watered, and given regular checkups. Just like a car engine needs oil to run smoothly, a horse needs proper care to stay strong and healthy.
- Humorous Twist – Some people use the phrase “Amish oil change” to describe cleaning and greasing the buggy’s wheels or axles. While it’s not oil in the traditional sense, it’s maintenance that keeps the buggy rolling along.
So, the term isn’t about cars at all. It’s about maintaining the Amish’s primary “vehicle” in life—the horse and buggy.
Why the Term Catches Attention
One of the reasons why this phrase remains so memorable is that it compares two widely disparate worlds. For the rest of us, life is rapid, with cars, highways, and rapid fuel and service stops. For the Amish, life is based upon slower pacing—horse hooves along peaceful country roads rather than engines on congested interstates.
When you hear “Amish oil change,” you stop. It’s ironic initially because it’s contradictory. And it also tells us something else: it reminds us how vastly different life can appear based on the values that a community decides to embrace.
Lessons from the Amish Way
Even though the Amish don’t get oil changes in the usual sense, their lifestyle offers lessons that can apply to everyone:
- Slowing Down Has Value – In today’s world, speed often feels like everything. Faster internet, faster cars, faster results. But the Amish teach us that slower is not necessarily worse. It can be more thoughtful, more careful, and less stressful.
- Maintenance Matters – Whether the vehicle is a car engine or a horse, it all requires maintenance to continue to function. The Amish don’t change oil filters, but they invest time in maintaining their livestock, equipment, and homes. That same principle of ongoing maintenance can apply to our lives, as well.
- Simplicity Reduces Stress – We may not abandon automobiles or electricity, but making life in some areas simpler—eliminating unnecessary distractions, being more present with loved ones, or spending less time pursuing the newest gadget—can leave room for calm.
A Modern Joke with a Traditional Twist
The internet tends to meme or make everything funny, and “Amish oil change” is no different. People laugh because they didn’t see it coming. But what makes the joke work is that it opens a window into a culture most of us don’t think about very often.
The Amish exist in the same world that we inhabit, but quite differently. Whereas we have our automobiles taken in for an oil change every couple of months, they harness their horses and care for them on a daily basis. Their priorities and their routine are different. But fundamentally, both worlds confront the same fundamental reality: anything that propels us forward—be it a horse or an engine—must have care and responsibility.”.
Wrapping It Up
So, what is an Amish oil change? It’s nothing to do with cars, mechanics, or motor oil. It’s all about caring for and grooming a horse or lubricating a buggy axle. It’s a humorous term that implies something greater: the Amish embrace a lifestyle that steers away from modern convenience but welcomes hard work, community, and tradition.
The next time you are sitting in a waiting room while your vehicle receives an oil change, perhaps consider the Amish out in rural areas. They may do maintenance differently, but the idea remains the same. We all keep things rolling by providing them with the attention they require.
Ultimately, whether it’s a horse or a Honda, the message is simple: take care of what takes you places. And perhaps, just perhaps, take it a little slower while you’re doing it.
