Probably the one service your car will have done most often is the humble oil change. It’s a crucial service and Allman’s Automotive has some information that can help you.
How Often Does Your Car Need Oil Changes?
There can be some variation on this answer, but most cars typically need an oil change every 3,000 miles or so. There might be different information in your car’s owner’s manual, especially if your car uses synthetic oil. Once you understand the different factors that play into the “right” answer for this question, you’ll be able to plan those services better.
You Can Skip Oil Changes, Right?
So, you can skip oil changes, right? It’s not important to do them exactly when recommended? The hard reality is that you really can’t skip oil changes. There’s a little bit of flexibility because your car doesn’t shut itself off at mile 3,001 after your last oil change. But there are reasons you can’t skip oil changes. Your car’s oil has a tough job, so that means that it needs help taking the best possible care of your car’s engine.
How Should You Check Your Car’s Oil?
It’s important to be able to check your car’s oil yourself periodically. That helps you to see if it’s getting dirtier than it should between oil changes. It also helps you to spot when your oil is getting low, especially in between oil changes. Make sure you’re parked in a level spot and check the oil when the car’s engine is cool, if possible. Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a rag or paper towel, and put it back in the tube. Remove the dipstick again and hold it level so the oil doesn’t run. Check the level against the marks on the dipstick.
What Type of Oil Should Your Car Get?
What type of oil your car needs depends a great deal on what the manufacturer has to say as well as what your own driving habits are. Someone who hauls a lot of things up and down hilly roads may have different oil needs than someone who drives an empty sedan mostly on the highway. Start with the owner’s manual and go from there.
Don’t guess when it comes to your car’s oil change needs. Give us a call at Allman’s Automotive in Groveland, MA and we’ll be happy to get your car squared away. And if it’s been tough to stay on schedule with oil changes, we can help you to do that, too.