Your car needs more than gasoline to run smoothly — it also needs the right oil. Changing your oil is an essential car maintenance task, and you should schedule regular oil changes in order to keep your car on the road for as long as possible. However, while you can make a quick pit stop to fill up your gas tank as soon as your fuel level is approaching empty, it’s not as easy to know when to change your oil. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “how often should I get an oil change,” this guide is for you! Read on to learn the real facts about oil change intervals.
Don’t Make Assumptions
You know what they say about assumptions, and when it comes to your car’s oil, you especially shouldn’t make them! There is plenty of information— and misinformation— about oil change intervals according to various rumors, starting with generic statements like “all cars should have their oil changed every 3,000 miles” to more specific claims about car makes and models. Don’t automatically believe these assumptions. The real answer can be found inside your car when you…
Read Your Owner’s Manual
Your owner’s manual contains a wealth of information about your car, including info about its ideal maintenance schedule. If you’ve never taken a look through the thick booklet in your glove compartment or center console, now’s the time to search through it for your car’s suggested oil change interval. You can also find useful information about car warranty, required oil types, and more for your individual vehicle.
Consider Your Driving Habits
Another part of determining how often to change oil is thinking about your driving habits. If you don’t drive your vehicle for more than 20 minutes at a time or only do stop-and-go driving in slow, heavy traffic, you probably aren’t getting the oil hot enough to circulate oil properly through all the engine’s components. And if you infrequently drive your car, it actually may be shortening your car’s oil life. Consider speaking with an auto repair professional to discuss a more frequent oil change interval than what is listed in your owner’s manual.
Check Your Car’s Age
As a general rule, older cars need more frequent oil changes than newer cars. If you have an older car, expect to change your oil from anywhere between every 3,000 miles to every 5,000 to 7,500 miles depending on your driving habits and the owner’s manual suggestions. You can also use the guideline of having your oil changed every six months if you find this to be easier for you to remember. If you have a newer car, it’s vital that you look in your owner’s manual as newer cars vary wildly when it comes to oil change intervals.
Read the Signs
A great thing about newer cars is that many of them feature oil-level sensors and other related monitoring systems. If you see a warning light come up on your dashboard indicating it’s time for an oil change, consider getting in touch with us to schedule an oil change in Philadelphia or one of our other local areas.
Pick the Right Oil
Did you know that picking the right type of oil might mean you only need oil changes every 10,000 miles? Some vehicles even can go as far as 15,000 miles without the need for an oil change — if you pick the right oil. Read up on the difference between synthetic and conventional motor oil before your next oil change. Synthetic motor oil can help your engine last longer — if choosing it is appropriate for your car. Once again, this information can be found in your owner’s manual or by speaking to a service technician.
Check the Oil Regularly
Whether you’re driving a 25-year-old car or a brand new car with 25 miles on the odometer, you should regularly check your oil. Most cars have oil dipsticks you can use to measure your oil level, while some higher-tech models have built-in system oil sensors you can read using the car’s interior controls. Whatever the way you check your car’s oil, do so at least once a month, more often if you drive your car infrequently.
Let Us Care For Your Car
When it’s time for your next oil change, drive on over to LubeMaster for a professional, prompt, and friendly service experience! We’re proud to serve the Philadelphia, PA, area and surrounding neighborhoods. Get in touch with us today!
