How Often Should You Change Your Oil? A Complete Guide for Drivers
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Regular oil changes can keep your vehicle running smoothly and extend its lifespan, but how often should you change your oil? This guide offers clear guidelines on changing oil to prevent engine wear and engine damage, the best oil change intervals, and tips for gauging the ideal number of miles between oil changes.
The Role of Engine Oil in Vehicle Performance
Engine oil lubricates your car’s engine (which is constantly exposed to friction), transfers heat away from engine parts to provide cooling, and keeps your engine and car running well. It is essential to overall vehicle performance, which is why oil change services are so important.
Types of Engine Oils Available
Engine oil is not one-size-fits-all, and oil change frequency can vary based on the type of oil. The key distinction is between conventional and synthetic oils.
Conventional vs. synthetic oils
Conventional oil was the first type used for oil changes and is also known as crude oil, chiefly consisting of hydrogen and carbon. It is the most affordable engine oil and is available at every shop that offers oil analysis. Conventional oil may also be a better option for older engines, which require enhanced lubrication. However, this type of oil can decrease gas mileage, and it breaks down faster, meaning you might need to up your oil change frequency.
Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is engineered with synthetic chemicals to perform better in extreme temperatures. It has better viscosity, which means it flows more smoothly in general. For cars running on synthetic oil, you won’t need to worry about oil life or oil pressure as often.
On the whole, more drivers are opting for synthetic oil due to its enhanced performance and lifespan.
Multi-viscosity oils
Multi-viscosity oils are a great option for extreme weather because they are adaptable to fluctuations in temperature. These oils can be synthetic or conventional. If you see a designation such as 10W-30 or 20W-50, these are multi-viscosity oils where the first number refers to the viscosity, or thickness, when exposed to cold, and the second references the viscosity when hot.
While you don’t need to worry about the specific numbers, if you live and drive in a variable climate, your dealership or repair shop might recommend a multi-viscosity oil for year-round performance or a shorter oil change interval to support safe driving.
Importance of Regular Oil Changes
How often should you change the oil and oil filter in your vehicle? That will vary, but the importance of regular oil changes does not. Not only will regular oil changes maintain your car’s overall health, but they will help you pass emissions tests, enhance fuel efficiency, and save money on costly repairs down the road.
Factors Influencing Oil Change Frequency
The longtime standard for oil changes was every 3,000 miles, but many cars can now double or even triple that mileage before needing an oil change. Your vehicle’s service manual will offer guidance on how often you need to be changing oil in your car.
Some of the factors that play into oil change frequency include:
- The type of engine oil you use: Synthetic oil needs to be changed less often than its conventional counterpart.
- The condition of your vehicle: Not surprisingly, older vehicles have more wear and tear on them, which requires more oil and more oil changes.
- Your day-to-day driving habits: Are you in bumper-to-bumper traffic while commuting? If so, you will likely require more oil changes than those who drive at steadier speeds and avoid stop-and-go acceleration and braking.
Finally, if you live in a climate with extreme highs and lows, you will need to change your oil more frequently than someone who lives in an area with steadier temps.
How to Check Oil Levels
Checking your oil level is simple. First, make sure your vehicle is parked on a level surface so that the oil level isn’t slanted in one direction. Your car should be turned off for at least five minutes so that the engine is cold and the oil has time to drain, which provides a more accurate reading. This will also prevent you from burning yourself!
Then, follow these three steps:
- Find and remove the dipstick. Your oil dipstick is typically marked with a yellow or orange handle. Use a paper towel or rag to pull it out gently and wipe away the oil.
- Insert the dipstick again. Make sure that it is fully inserted.
- Remove the dipstick and read it. Different dipsticks have different markings, such as "F" or "Max" for full, and "L" or "Min" for low.
If your oil level is between full and low, this is considered normal, but you might want to add a little oil or plan on scheduling an appointment in the near future.
Recognizing Signs That an Oil Change Is Due
The most obvious sign that you need to change your oil is your “check engine” light coming on. Here are some other signs that it’s time to schedule an oil change:
- The color of your oil has changed. Newer engine oil is clear and amber, while older oil can appear dark and dirty.
- Your engine is getting loud. If you hear knocking or other concerning sounds from your engine, this is a clear sign that you should take your car in.
- Your gas mileage is going in the wrong direction. When oil is old and thick, it can reduce fuel efficiency.
You might also see smoke coming out of your tailpipe or sense a burning smell. All of these signs indicate the need for an oil change, where technicians can examine everything from your oil filter to oil pressure.
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