Whether you’ve been driving for many years or a few months, there may be times you are confused about oil changes for your car. With new technological advancements in vehicles plus new types of oil products, where can you find out how often do you really need to get your oil changed? Consult your owner’s manual for the guidelines for your specific vehicle.
There are four things to remember when it comes to oil changes:
- Know the Correct Oil Change Interval. Many of today’s vehicles have service reminder monitors that will alert drivers when to change the oil by monitoring the number of miles driven plus how hard the car was driven.
- Check the Oil Level Frequently. To keep your engine running quietly and smoothly, check the oil level at least once a month. It may need to be topped off between changes. Get even a small leak repaired as soon as possible. Some newer cars have electronic oil monitors instead of traditional dipsticks to keep tabs on the level of oil.
- Know-How Often to Change the Oil. The old rule of “every 3,000 miles or every three months” rule is now obsolete. With the advances in engines and oil, many auto manufacturers have oil-change intervals set at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles (or six to 12 months). Even if you don’t drive many miles in a year, oil still needs to be kept fresh—so have an oil change at least twice a year. When changing the oil, your mechanic will look for metal particles in the oil, an indication of internal engine damage.
- Know What Kind of Oil to Use. The weight of the recommended oil is often printed on the cap where you add oil. Or read your owner’s manual so you know the best kind of oil to use in your vehicle.
So how often do you really need to get your oil changed? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair to ask about our oil change coupons and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Whether you’ve been driving for many years or a few months, there may be times you are confused about oil changes for your car. With new technological advancements in vehicles plus new types of oil products, where can you find out how often do you really need to get your oil changed? Consult your owner’s manual for the guidelines for your specific vehicle.
There are four things to remember when it comes to oil changes:
- Know the Correct Oil Change Interval. Many of today’s vehicles have service reminder monitors that will alert drivers when to change the oil by monitoring the number of miles driven plus how hard the car was driven.
- Check the Oil Level Frequently. To keep your engine running quietly and smoothly, check the oil level at least once a month. It may need to be topped off between changes. Get even a small leak repaired as soon as possible. Some newer cars have electronic oil monitors instead of traditional dipsticks to keep tabs on the level of oil.
- Know-How Often to Change the Oil. The old rule of “every 3,000 miles or every three months” rule is now obsolete. With the advances in engines and oil, many auto manufacturers have oil-change intervals set at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles (or six to 12 months). Even if you don’t drive many miles in a year, oil still needs to be kept fresh—so have an oil change at least twice a year. When changing the oil, your mechanic will look for metal particles in the oil, an indication of internal engine damage.
- Know What Kind of Oil to Use. The weight of the recommended oil is often printed on the cap where you add oil. Or read your owner’s manual so you know the best kind of oil to use in your vehicle.
So how often do you really need to get your oil changed? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair to ask about our oil change coupons and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
