The short answer – there’s no standard answer for when you should get an oil change. While there are general guidelines, it’s best to think about your car more specifically because there are a lot of factors that contribute to when you’ll need another oil change. Driving habits and the age of your car will mean you can go more or less time between getting new engine oil. Here are a few things to consider when scheduling oil changes , in addition to the recommended schedule from your car’s manufacturer.
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Factor in how long you’ve had your car and how much mileage has already been put on it, whether you bought it new or used. Parts of your engine naturally wear out over time, so mileage is a big factor in determining how frequently you may need fresh engine oil.
Typically, older cars will likely need oil changes more often than newer cars. Or they at least will require you to monitor the proper oil change schedule yourself. The standard recommendation for oil changes is every six months or about every 5,000-7,500 miles. This also depends on a few other factors like what type of oil your car uses, where you live, and what type of driving you primarily do.
On the flip side, newer cars usually come equipped with systems that monitor the life of your current engine oil. Some will simply use time and mileage to keep track, while other more sophisticated systems are able to factor in the actual operating conditions of your car to tell you when you need fresh oil, whether from degradation from age or contamination from use.
Whether your vehicle is brand new or has quite a few miles on it already, the type of driving you do the most will have a big impact on how frequent your oil change services should be. Frequent stop-and-go traffic or towing heavy loads puts more strain on your car’s engine, meaning you should get oil changes more often to keep your engine healthy.
There are several aspects of city driving that hit your engine oil. First, stop and go traffic is hard on both your engine and transmission. It takes the most effort from your car in lower gears getting your car moving after being stationary, so higher gears and faster speeds are usually easier on your engine, meaning they save your engine oil a bit. Second, city driving often involves shorter trips of less than five miles at a time, which is also harder on your engine oil. Either of those situations will put your car in a more severe category for servicing, including more frequent oil changes to keep your engine healthy and performing optimally.
If you regularly carry heavy loads or tow a trailer, you should think about bumping up your oil change schedule. Heavy loads create more wear for your engine, which can mean your engine oil becomes more contaminated sooner. This can further exaggerate the wear and possible damage to your engine if you don’t keep up with more frequent oil changes to keep your engine oil fresh.
The best way to ensure you’re getting oil changes at the right frequency for your car and situation is to consult your owner’s manual – and even a trusted mechanic, if you have more questions. Your owner’s manual will give recommended timeframes for all regular maintenance, including oil changes, though a mechanic can help assist with factoring in your driving habits and mileage to figure out the best timing for oil changes to keep your engine healthy. You don’t want to pay for more maintenance than you need to keep your car healthy and you also don’t want to neglect important preventative maintenance that can improve your car’s performance and overall health.
Questions about your car’s requirements for oil changes and other regular maintenance ? Or just know it’s time for fresh engine oil? Give us a call at AAMCO Utah or make your appointment online today. We’ll ensure you’re on the right track to keep your car running optimally.
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