Oil changes are an essential part of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Failing to replace your vehicle’s oil can lead to wear and tear on engine parts and ultimately total engine failure. Now-a-days, lots of vehicles tell you when it’s time to have your oil changed, but that isn’t always the best indicator. We are going to answer the question, “How often should you have an oil change?”
How often should you have an oil change?
Every vehicle is different, so you should check your owner’s manual to know when it is recommended for you to have an oil change on your specific car or truck. We are going to review the general timeline.
Depending on your vehicle age, type of oil used, and driving conditions, oil change timing will vary. It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants, most engines today, have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between needing an oil change.
As stated above, always follow the factory maintenance schedule for your vehicle’s oil changes.
Why are oil changes important?
A study by the Car Care Council found that 22% of vehicles have low or dirty engine oil. Proactively changing a vehicle’s oil and filter helps the engine continue to work at its best and helps to prevent engine repairs. While the frequency of having an oil change varies by vehicle, the importance of an oil change does not. Regular oil changes are essential to your car and truck.
Let’s review why:
- Engine Lubrication: All of the moving parts of your engine work at high speeds and create a lot of heat. While engine heat is normal, having an engine that overheats is not and is not ideal. Without proper oil changes, your engine is more vulnerable to overheating due to a lack of lubrication.
- Gas Mileage: Gas mileage and the quality of your vehicle’s oil, directly correlate. Regular oil changes help you to have better gas mileage. Poor engine lubrication can lead to increased fuel consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy says that with routine oil changes, with the correct oil, gas mileage can be improved by 1-2% (about a gallon of gas a year).
- Engine Wear: Dirt particles are bad for any engine. Oil changes help to reduce and remove any excess dirt and buildup in your engine from use. “Sludge” is when oil breaks down and congeals and thickens. This is a common development in cars, and oil changes are the best way to rid your engine and vehicle of such and keep your engine in good condition.
- Vehicle and Engine Life: Plain and simple, following the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle makes your vehicle last longer. Dirty oil can create buildup, which in turn impacts a vehicle’s fuel economy and power and makes internal components work harder. A harder working engine will end up having problems and a shortened lifespan.
How often should you have an oil change? Well, that depends on your driving habits, the vehicle, and the oil used; however, oil changes are key to having a functioning vehicle and to avoid engine failure.
Advanced Transmissions & Emissions, is the leader in auto repair and service in Phoenix, AZ. Our team of auto technicians are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified, so you can feel confident that you’re getting the best service for your vehicle. As a locally-owned and operated auto repair shop, we make it our priority to ensure to treat our customers with the respect they deserve.
Your car, truck, or SUV’s engine is a complex arrangement of parts and components. When smoke billows from the hood or you hear unusual noises, you require a professional mechanic who can find and fix the problem. We offer solutions at great rates.
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