Owning a vehicle means taking care of the engine and changing the oil at regular intervals. There are several factors to consider in determining how often to change the oil depending on how you use your car.
Examine Your Daily Use
If you primarily drive your car in the city, then you should change your oil every 3,000 miles. Frequent stops and daily use are hard on the engine. Extreme temperatures are hard on your vehicle, as well.
Vehicle Type
The standard interval for oil changes at every 3,000 miles can actually vary by the manufacturer, car experts say. Generally, due to tighter tolerances and advancements in engine materials, many manufacturers suggest changing your oil in intervals of 7,500 miles or more.
One primary consideration in determining how often to change your oil is the type of vehicle that you’re driving. Some vehicles do not need as many oil changes as others. Here is a list of the vehicles that generally can have their oil changed less often: Ford, Volkswagen, and Porsche. Oil changes are generally recommended every 10,000 miles for these vehicles.
Maintenance Warning Systems
Most modern cars have a built-in computer systems that tell you when it’s time to change your oil. It will give you a “service engine soon” light. There are those people that don’t let the oil changes get to that point. It is something the vehicle manufacturer builds into most vehicles today. The car computer calibrates how many starts and stops have happened. That along with other features gives you a basic time frame. That’s helpful for those that don’t feel like they understand the maintenance that well. Also, use your car manual. It’s there to help you. Consider auto care schedules as a way to extend the life of your vehicle, as well.
If you feel like you’re losing power, or anything feels off with your car, stop by a service station and ask a mechanic to check your oil levels. Many service shops offer this service for free or will give you a credit if you allow them to perform the necessary maintenance. Always be mindful of how your car drives right after an oil change compared to when it is almost time to have it serviced. After a while, you will get to know how it feels and, if something starts to feel odd, you should get it checked out.
Is Your Vehicle Out of Warranty?
Once your vehicle is out of warranty, the rules are a little different. Older vehicles do need a little bit more monitoring. Here are some aspects that you need to consider if this applies to you:
- Frequent stops
- Often driving at low speeds
- Frequent daily trips
Frequent stops instead of highway driving are hard on your vehicle. Driving at low speeds in bumper-to-bumper traffic can be bad for your engine. If that applies to you, change the oil every 3,000 miles. Daily use means the same thing. Driving in hot or cold temperatures also uses the oil in a way that can damage a vehicle. The same rule applies to harsh conditions. Dirt, sand, and other off-road conditions are hard on your car.
Consider Your Driving Habits
While each car manufacturer has general guidelines on how often your car’s oil should be changed, the actual interval will be influenced by the habits of the owner. Racing your car can be fun on occasion, but far too many drivers regularly go over the speed limit and initiate fast starts. Racing, fast starts, and other unsavory driving habits can also wreak havoc on your car’s parts and can increase the likelihood of problems down the line. Also, if you frequently use your vehicle to tow other vehicles or trailers, this can cause undue strain on your engine.
Maintenance and frequent oil changes can help counter the effects of some of these habits if you put your car through a lot. If this applies to you, then it’s probably a good idea to change your oil every 3,000 miles.
Know the Correct Oil to Use
You should also know what type of oil to use. Always use the same oil that is already in your vehicle. Never change the type of oil used. This can destroy your engine. Start by reading the manual that came with the vehicle. This is your best guide. Follow that, and your engine will perform well.
The oil that you use in your vehicle is important. If your vehicle takes synthetic oil, for example, you don’t need to change it as often as standard crude oil. It is important to consult your owner’s manual for your particular vehicle. That way you know what type of oil to use and how often to change it.
Conclusion Your driving habits can affect how often to do your vehicle check-ups. Follow the tips here and you will have an engine that hums along. Be sure to care for your vehicle. Use the right type of oil based on your daily use. This is how you can decide how often to change your oil.