We get it here at Vielhaber’s Garage. There is a ton of conflicting information out there about when your car’s oil needs to be changed. Many people believe that it should be done every 3,000 miles; others say every 7,500 miles. There are a lot of factors that go into the oil change duration for your automobile, and some of them might not be what you think they are. Let’s talk more about this below.
Manufacturer’s Recommendation First
The first thing to consider is what your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. Take a look in your owner’s manual to see the type of oil that is recommended, the specific weight, and how often this oil needs to be changed. Know that every time the oil is changed the filter is changed, as well. If your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends a conventional oil change every 3,000 miles, that is what you should do. If it recommends a synthetic oil change every 7,500 miles, that is what you should do.
Vehicle’s Age Second
The second consideration is your vehicle’s age. If you drive a high-mileage vehicle that is old, you might find that you need to have the oil changed more often to better protect the engine. Classic automobiles, for example, need to have their oil changed every 2,000 miles. You may also want to switch from regular motor oil to high-mileage oil or to synthetic because these two options do a better job of protecting the older engine so you get more miles out of it.
How You Drive Third
Next, let’s talk about your daily commute. This can influence how often you need to get your car, truck, utility vehicle, or van’s oil changed. Consider the following to help determine how much life you will get out of your oil:
- Do you drive short or long distances every day?
- Do you drive in a ton of traffic?
- Do you drive on difficult roads?
- Do you do a lot of quick stops such as driving a delivery van?
Let’s assume for the moment that you drive short distances and do a lot of quick stops. This is hard on your motor oil and engine, and it’s a good idea to have your oil changed more frequently to protect it. If you drive long distances without any stopping or traffic, this extends the motor oil’s life.
Vielhaber’s Garage is the best auto shop in Findlay, OH. Give us a call today to discuss this in greater detail so we can come up with a custom oil change schedule for you.
