How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

In years past, most Crawfordville drivers were having their vehicle’s oil changed every 3,000 miles. By today’s standards, that’s a somewhat high oil change frequency. So, how often should you change your oil if you’re driving a modern vehicle? Most cars can now go between 7,500 – 10,000 miles between oil changes without a problem. Still, you should check your owner’s manual for a concrete figure. If you’re looking to step up your oil change knowledge as a car owner in Quincy, you can learn more with the service team at Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet below!

Oil Change Frequency Recommendations

It’s important to remember that while 7,500 – 10,000 miles is a safe figure to follow, it is merely a general guideline. Some vehicles will require an oil change sooner, especially if you frequently use it for any of these activities in Havana:

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing

What Could Happen Without an Oil Change?

There’s no questioning whether you want your vehicle to always run at peak performance and bring you an optimal fuel economy. In order to achieve this, your car needs fresh, clean oil. The oil acts as a lubricant for moving parts in the engine, keeping friction and the potential for overheating at bay. Additionally, as road debris inevitably makes its way through your engine, the oil collects it and carries it to the oil filter so it doesn’t cause any problems. As a result, the oil and the oil filter collect an abundance of contaminants over time; eventually, both need to be fully replaced. If you’ve let your car go for too long without an oil change, you’ll probably begin to notice one or more of the following issues cropping up:

• Check engine and/or oil change lights are illuminated
• Knocking sound coming from the engine
• Dark and dirty oil
• Smoke emitting from the exhaust pipe
• Engine overheating

Additional Oil Change Tips

Before carrying out your next oil change, check out these quick facts:

• Even if your car is only driven once per week, a twice-yearly oil change is recommended. Oil is certain to break down over time, even if you’re not actually using the vehicle.
• With every oil change, be sure the oil filter is being replaced, too. If you’re changing your car’s oil at home in Quincy, you can find the right filter for your Chevy model at the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet parts department.
• Unsure whether you need to get synthetic or conventional oil for your car? Your owner’s manual will tell you the answer.

When to Check the Oil Level

In between oil changes, it is recommended that you check the oil level in your car once per month. When you check the level, you can also take a moment to check for discoloration or small metal particles in the oil. If you do pick up on either issue, you will want to schedule a service appointment without delay, as they can point to more serious problems.

Visit Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet for Your Next Oil Change

With any additional questions about oil change frequency or to get help scheduling an appointment, contact our service center online or call us directly at (850) 692-6302! While you’re speaking with us, we can tell you more about the savings available through our service specials.