How Often Should I Have My Oil Changed?
Taking care of
car maintenance is a good way to avoid future problems. Your vehicle is one of
the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so taking steps to protect it is
wise. Chief among the regular car care items is getting an oil change. If you’re wondering how often you
should do that, we at JL Freed Honda have answers. It’s a good thing to be
concerned about this issue, because it very much affects how your vehicle runs.
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The
Old Rule
Back in the
day, many people learned that you change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles. That rule was drilled into car owners’
heads so much, some still want to follow it. You might have been told by
friends, family members, etc. this advice, which is well-meaning but wrong.
Thanks to
modern advancements in engine design and oil composition, you don’t need to
have a newer car’s oil changed nearly as often. You won’t be risking the engine
seizing, components wearing down, or other big repairs.
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Model Differences
Really, you
need to follow the oil change intervals as recommended by your car’s
manufacturer. These are tailored for the specific model you own, including the
engine. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, since some engines need fresh
oil every 7,500 miles, and others can go 10,000 miles or longer between
changes.
You can get
specific oil change information for your vehicle from a few different sources.
If your car has the owner’s manual, it’s listed inside in the section about
oil. This will help you understand what’s necessary to help maintain your
vehicle.
Even without an
owner’s manual, you can still get answers. The automaker’s website usually has
oil change information. That recommendation is often in an owner’s portal or
special portion of the site you need an account to access. Signing up for that
is normally an easy process, and pays off big time.
If you want an
even quicker and easier way to learn how often your car needs the oil changed,
contact a local dealership’s service department. We’re always glad to provide
that information, which is literally at our fingertips.
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Extreme Factors
The oil change
interval recommendation from your car’s manufacturer is based on normal use. If
your car goes through more rigorous conditions on a regular basis, you might
need to change the oil more often.
If you live or
spend a lot of time in a particularly hot or cold climate, that can break down
the oil faster. Driving often where dust is present in the air, like on dirt
roads, will cause the oil to become dirtier sooner, making it necessary to
change it and the filter out more frequently.
Believe it or
not, taking short trips that are 5 miles or shorter often also can be hard on
your car and the oil. If you travel in stop-and-go traffic often, that also
wears out the oil sooner. Towing or hauling big loads regularly is another
factor that makes more frequent oil changes a good idea.
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Get your oil changed today through JL Freed Honda.