Regular oil changes are a normal part of owning a vehicle, but how much do you know about this service? If you don’t have much information, you might not know when to change and check your oil and what kind of oil you should use. Get all the information you need to know about oil changes so you can take care of your vehicle.
Oil Change Duration
You might think your car needs fresh oil every 3,000 miles or three months, and that used to be true. However, vehicles and motor oil have come a long way since then. Now, some vehicles can go 5,000 miles or more between oil changes. Check your owner’s manual instead of asking an oil change technician how often you should change the oil. Then, you’ll find out how often your specific vehicle requires oil changes.
When to Check the Oil
Following an oil change schedule is important, but you still need to check the oil between changes. Your car might burn oil and need a little extra to make it to the next oil change. Thus, check the oil at least once a month, and top it off if it’s low.
The method you use for checking your oil depends on your vehicle. If your car has an oil dipstick, you’ll use it to check the oil. However, if your car has an electronic oil monitor, you can find out if you need oil via your vehicle’s information display.
You might also like: Easy And Affordable Back To School Lunch Ideas
What Oil Should You Use?
Using the right oil is just as important as sticking to an oil change schedule. You can find out what oil your car needs by looking inside the owner’s manual.
Even with that information, you might be considering upgrading to a special oil, especially if you have a high-mileage vehicle. While high-mileage motor oil is a good choice if you’ve noticed an issue with your car, it’s not necessary if your vehicle is running as it should. Instead, it’ll just be an added expense.
The same is true for synthetic oil. Numerous oil change shops try to get customers to buy synthetic oil because it costs two to four times more than regular motor oil. Unless your owner’s manual specifies you need synthetic oil, there’s no reason to spend the extra money unless your situation calls for it. For instance, if you make lots of short trips, it’s a wise choice. Conventional oil takes some time to warm up, so you might not get the full lubricating benefits without synthetic oil. Also, if you do a lot of towing, synthetic oil can be beneficial.
Even if you upgrade to synthetic oil, you still need to follow the instructions in the owner’s manual regarding the duration between oil changes. Because of that, the extra expense is rarely worth it.
Is your car due for an oil change? Genesis of Northwest San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas, offers a full range of services, including oil changes. Schedule your service today, and we will get you back on the road quickly.
What if your car is burning lots of oil and isn’t performing as it should? You can get a fresh start with a new vehicle from us. Get the process started by scheduling a test drive online or stopping by the dealership.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.