Being the driver behind the wheel involves carrying a lot of responsibility, but it’s not limited to the rules you need to follow in the street. A car is one of the most important investments, and just like many other highly-valued possessions, it needs to receive regular TLC to ensure it can continue to ride in tip-top shape, wherever the road takes!
Not to mention, your car will likely experience plenty of heavy traffic, so providing maintenance is crucial to keep it from giving in to wear and tear. There are several ways to care for your automobile, so part of the critical service maintenance you need to consider is changing your car’s engine oil. This begs the question: how often do you need to change your car’s engine oil?
Changing Engine Oils: Why and What is the Ideal Frequency?
How often you should change your car engine’s oil depends on several factors, including how well the vehicle is used and whether you prefer the convenience of synthetic oil or not. Synthetic oils were initially developed for military jets, engines, and nuclear power plants after it was realized that petroleum-based oils could not handle the extreme temperatures of these systems.
On the other hand, other oils include semi-synthetic and conventional oils. These types can influence your vehicle’s environmental impact and engine performance, though all share the goal of increasing fuel economy, improving engine protection, and reducing the frequency of oil changes. As for the ideal frequency of changing your engine oil, manufacturers often suggest doing so every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
What to Consider When Deciding the Ideal Change Engine Oil For Your Vehicle
Whether you choose to go for conventional or synthetic oil, you may want to consider the proper oil change interval for your vehicle. A longer interval means you’ll save money, but you risk longer wear and tear on your engine. Likewise, going for a shorter interval may be more convenient, but it will cost you more money. You’ll need to factor in the following when deciding on an oil change interval:
- The mileage of your vehicle.
- The quality of the oil you’re using.
- The type of oil you’re using.
While the 3,000-mile standard is a good rule of thumb, your engine oil should be replaced sooner if you drive additional miles or you live in a hot climate. If you’re driving for miles on end every day, the oil should be changed at least every 2,000 miles. If your car has a high-performance engine, the oil could stretch as long as 7,500 miles.
Older cars have a different oil change schedule as well. Since older engines do not have oil filters, the oil and filter must be replaced every 3,000 miles. However, if the car in question is newer than the 1980s, it probably does have a filter, which can be changed every 7,500 miles.
The Bottom Line: The Importance of Changing Your Engine Oil Properly and at the Right Time
When it comes to changing your engine oil, you don’t want to make any mistakes. While the experts agree that 3,000 miles is the ideal time to schedule your next oil change, it might not always be practical. If you’re a new driver, you may want to follow your owner’s manual to a tee.
Either way, it’s important to check your oil first – and give it a test drive! Changing your oil regularly or as often as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer is one of the simplest ways to increase your vehicle’s longevity and keep it running in peak condition.
Are You Looking for an Auto Mechanic in Hoover, AL?
At Hoover Automotive, we understand how important it is for you to have your vehicle taken care of by an auto repair shop you can trust. We’ve been providing the best auto repair in Hoover, Alabama for years, so get in touch with us to see how we can get you on the road with the smoothest ride.