Things That Can Affect When I Need My Car’s Oil Changed

You may have received conflicting information about when you need to change your car’s oil. We would like to sort this out for you here at Righteous Auto Care. The general rule of thumb for years has been that you should get your oil changed every six months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. New developments in motor oil have changed this mileage duration and added confusion to the frequency of oil changes. Let’s talk about the things that affect when you need an oil change.

The first thing you should take into consideration is your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Grab your owner’s manual and flip to the oil section. Here, the vehicle manufacturer will not only recommend the best oil type and weight for your automobile but also how often you should have the oil changed. This becomes your base guideline, as your vehicle manufacturer knows best when it comes to oil changes for your model.

Depending on the oil type your manufacturer recommends, you may need to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles, every 5,000 miles, every 7,500 miles, or longer. Conventional motor oil, the motor oil that has been used for decades should be changed every 3,000 miles. If your vehicle manufacturer recommends that you use synthetic motor oil, your oil change duration will be lengthened because this oil retains its viscosity longer.

Another consideration in how often you should have your oil changed is your daily commute. If your commute consists of short spurts that are less than 15 minutes each, you need to have your oil changed more often because this is very hard on your engine. If you get stuck in stop-and-go traffic throughout the day, you may need to have your oil changed more frequently. If you drive on the open highways without any traffic for longer than 15 minutes, your oil will last longer.

How you drive can also affect your oil change frequency. If you are hard on your automobile, speeding up quickly and slamming on the brakes , you need to have your oil changed more often. If you drive calmly and give your motor oil time to warm up and circulate before you hit the road, you may be able to go longer between oil changes. Your vehicle’s age can also have a factor in the oil type that you use and how often you get it changed.

We know all of this information might still leave you confused, which is why we would love to talk with you about your oil change schedule. Contact Righteous Auto Care in Racine, WI , and we will set up a vehicle maintenance schedule, including oil changes, that suits your automobile and driving habits perfectly.