Car Service Basics: How Often Should I change Car Oil?

By daniel morton | January 15, 2020 | Car Repair | 0 Comments

Your car needs good quality oil so that it can sustain longer and you do not have any breakdowns while on a long joyride in the first Car Service. We understand that the car and its engine can at times turn out to be a complex machine since there are so many things to make a note of.

But changing the car oil on a regular basis is a rule of thumb that should be followed consistently. Though the period of getting the oil change can vary from one car to another. But this is an importance part of maintenance schedule that has to be done without fail.

For your car engine to run smoothly, oil plays an important role. Good quality car oil lubricates the surfaces of the car engine and also boosts its longevity. It also avoids any complexities that would have otherwise cost you a fortune. Your car engine would thank you for regularly changing the oil.

When and how often to change the car oil?

The answer to this question is a quick reference to the Owner’s Manual. This manual is your motor bible and should always be kept handy. It is not right to make assumptions on when the changes need to be done based on past experiences or someone else’s experience. Your car mechanic may or may not provide the right period on when exactly the change needs to be done. Hence, referring to the Owner’s manual can get you the answer to this question.

The manufacturers today are making the task easier for the car owners in terms of adding reminders or signs on the car dashboard. Most of the SUVs, cars have a certain alarm or sign that keeps on flashing so as to remind the driver that it is time to get the oil changed.

This sign or reminder would mostly pop up when the car has covered a certain mile range. These sensors are so good that they can calculate the total miles traveled by car and also how hard or easy the drive was. As soon as you see such signs flashing on your dashboard, get the oil changed at the earliest.

Talking about how often should you be changing the car oil, then it depends. The ideal response is to get the oil changed once in every three months or once the car has traveled 3000 miles.

Though this was the rule set earlier. But with so many changes in technology and up-gradation of engines, this rule seems to be obsolete. Most of the new-age cars today can travel 700 to 10000 miles without any oil change. Amendments carried out in the design of the engine has led to this need.

As per the latest research, it is now suggested to get the oil change carried out when your car covers 7500 miles to 10,000 miles. Certain experts specify to get the change done in the intervals of 5000 miles. The quality of oil that you use along with the make and age of your car also determines the period when you need to get the change carried out.

Ford Motor Company suggests that drivers having the typical driving habits and own cars made in 2008 and after should get the oil changed once in every 7500 miles or once every six months whichever is earlier.

On the other hand, individuals having 2007 and earlier models of cars should be changing the oil once every 5000 miles or once in every six months, whichever is earlier.

Those individuals who have less typical driving habits should be getting the car oil changed once in every 5000 miles or once in every six months, whichever is earlier.

A few of the mechanics suggest that when you get the oil change done very often then it also allows the mechanic to inspect other parts of the car such as belts, brakes, and carry out routine maintenance.

The Owner’s manual also provides detailed information with regards to the car and the routine maintenance schedule for each of its parts. Do not go on assumptions or other’s experiences. Best practice is to always refer to the manual pertaining to your car.

Some of them may be wondering that when their car is less on-road there is no need to get the oil change done too often. However, this is not the case. Even when you do not drive your car too much, there is still need for getting the oil change done so that it is kept fresh.

Note that even when you have not driven more than the given range above, there is still need to get the oil changed. One of the main reasons for doing so is that as the oil ages it becomes less effective and efficient. It does not make the engine warm enough.

This leads to formation of excess moisture in the engine which does not get removed. In turn, it can hamper the longevity of your car engine and lead to a breakdown.

Importance of getting the oil changed:

For the smooth running of your car, good quality oil is very important. We have already mentioned above, when and how you can get the oil changed in your car. But for those who still do not feel the need to so, let us quickly go through some of the important reasons as to why getting the oil changed is important.

• Good quality oil is known to protect your car engine. It provides a protective layer between each of the engine parts while in motion. Proper lubrication from the oil ensures that the car parts do not wear off easily.

 

• Oil is also known to protect your car engine from any kind of erosion that is normally caused due to condensation. The main reason why most of the experts suggest getting the oil change is that it protects the engine from getting corroded.

 

• When you change the oil in your car then it also replaces any of those oils which has been burnt during the driving process. Not many of them are aware of the fact that the oil tends to burn slowly when the car is in motion. The amount of oil that you refill in your car is not the exact same amount that would stay inside the car engine until the next oil change.

 

• It is said that when you drive your car with wrong levels of oil then it can cause further damage to your car. You can quickly check the oil level with the help of a dipstick. This dipstick is located beneath the car hood. Check the owner’s manual on the exact location of dipstick and also how to get the oil levels checked.

 

• When your car has low levels of oil then it would mean that the car is having multiple issues that need to be addressed. Those issues may not be related to the leakage of oil or burning of the oil. Frequently changing the oil allows you to also inspect any other potential issues that can be damaging to your car.

 

• Oil, as we all know, is one of the key ingredients for good performance of your car. Good quality and adequate levels of oil ensures just the right lubrication, reduces any wear and tear of engine parts and also maintains the cool temperature of the car engine.

 

• When you add new oil then it acts as a cleansing agent to the engine. This new oil ensures that there is no dirt or any other build-up due to the old oil. If you are looking out to increase the performance of your car engine and also want to boosts the life of your car, then we suggest to no skip this important maintenance of oil change.

 

• When you increase the gap in the period of oil change then it leads to an increase in the friction between the various engine parts of the car. A rise in the level of friction can lead to permanent damage to the various engine parts. If you pay no heed to this friction, then it can lead to an untoward breakdown which can turn out to be costly.

 

• When you are driving your car with the old oil then there is high chance that you are driving with specks of metal in the oil. This is normally caused due to excessive friction while the engine is in the running process. If you continue driving, then these tiny specks of metal can cause further serious damage to the engine. Carry out an oil analysis for the presence of these metal specs.

 

• Build-up of sludge is one of the biggest issues when you do not change the oil. Sludge is known to occur when the old oil starts turning into solid or in gel form. The build-up of sludge does not allow the oil to flow freely throughout the engine.

 

• Over a period of time, it can lead to major permanent damage to the car engine and you may have to get the entire engine replaced or repaired.

If you are looking out to increase the longevity of your car and also want to reduce costly repair expenses, then we suggest getting the oil change done.

Always refer to the Owner’s manual for the best guidance on when this change can be scheduled or what is the recommended interval. When you get the oil change, ensure to use only the good quality oil so that your engine stays healthy always.