Changing your car’s oil is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle. But with all the different types of oil and varying intervals recommended by manufacturers, it can be hard to keep track of when you’re due for an oil change. In this blog post, we’ll help clear up some of the confusion and give you a few tips on how to keep track of when your next oil change is due.
How Often Should You Really Change Your Oil?
The rule of thumb used to be that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever came first. However, with advances in engine technology and synthetic oils that can last longer, that interval has been extended in recent years.
Most carmakers now recommend an oil change interval of 5,000 miles or 6 months for conventional oil, and 7,500 miles or 12 months for synthetic blends. There are even some cars that can go 10,000 miles between changes with synthetic oil. So how do you know what’s right for your car?
Check Your Owner’s Manual
The best way to find out how often to change your oil is to consult your owner’s manual. Every car is different, and the manufacturer will have specific recommendations based on things like driving conditions and engine type.
If you can’t find your owner’s manual or you’ve misplaced it, don’t worry-you can usually find this information online on the manufacturer’s website. Once you know what the manufacturer recommends, you can decide whether to stick to that schedule or go longer between changes.
Consider Your Driving Conditions
Even if your car’s manufacturer recommends a certain interval between changes, that might not be right for your driving habits and conditions. For example, if you do a lot of stop-and-go city driving or short trips where the engine doesn’t have a chance to fully warm up, you might want to get your oil changed more often than the recommended interval. The same goes for driving in extreme weather conditions-hot or cold-or dusty areas. It’s also worth noting that if you use your car for towing or hauling heavy loads frequently, you might need to change your oil more often than someone who doesn’t use their vehicle for those purposes.
When it comes to changing your car’s oil, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency with which you need to change your oil depends on factors like the type of engine in your car, the type of oil you’re using, and your driving habits and conditions. Consult your owner’s manual and keep an eye on how much mileage you’re racking up between changes to get a sense for what works best for your car. And if you’re ever unsure about when to change your oil, err on the side of caution and bring it in sooner rather than later!