How Often Do You Need an Oil Change?

How Often Do You Need an Oil Change?

Posted on June 26, 2020

Clean oil is essential to keeping your car’s engine working correctly, but many drivers are not sure how often they need to have the oil changed. Over the years, with improved materials and parts used in vehicle construction, the rule of thumb for how often cars need new oil has changed. Here are some tips to help you find out how often you need an oil change.

Check the Owner’s Manual

Since every vehicle is different, it is important to look at your owner’s manual. This will tell you how many miles you can go before you need to change the oil, and it will also tell you what type of oil you need. Using the correct kind of oil is just as important as getting it changed on a regular basis. If you don’t use the right type, it could void a warranty or harm the engine.

Older Cars

If you have an older car, the time between oil changes depends largely on mileage. There are usually two different maintenance schedules based on the driving you do — the length of your average drive and the weather. Take all of these factors into consideration as you figure out a service schedule.

Newer Cars

Many new cars have the technology to monitor the oil in your car and let you know when you should change it. These systems monitor the operation of the vehicle and identify when the oil will start to degrade.

Your best resource is your vehicle’s manual when deciding how often to change the oil.