Professional Oil Change: How Frequently Does Your Car Need One

Engine is the heart of your car, and the engine oil is what keeps that heart pumping. It is what keeps the moving parts of your engine moving without performance-dampening friction. By preventing the buildup of contaminants and impurities around your precious engine, the engine oil keeps it running smooth for long. Frequent professional oil change ensures better efficiency and performance of your car.

How often should you change your motor oil? This is an important question as the quality of your riding experience depends on it. The easy answer is to change your oil every 3000 miles driven or every six months. This is what you will hear from most of the mechanics and many car manufacturers recommend the same. However, many modern and more efficient cars can do without changing their oil for as many as 6000 miles. Following factors may dictate your need to have your car’s oil changed.

Quality of Your Oil

Engine oil keeps the engine of your car lubricated, cool and well functioning. Oil with the right viscosity and perfect combination of integral components is vital to your car’s health. Putting in the oil with the right mix of detergents and additives can keep the engine clean and gunk away. Higher quality oil with better ingredients can be depended to keep your car happy for longer, allowing you to go without changing your oil for longer. You cannot expect to go without an oil change for more than 3000 miles with average oil.

Design of Your Car Determines the Need for Professional Oil Change

Many engine experts advise you to have your car’s oil changed every time you go to the mechanic for tire rotation i.e. every 6 months. However, the frequency of your oil change should also be dictated the type and design of your car. It is important to know that oil circulates around combustion chamber as well as facilitate the engine motion by entering area around pistons and valves. Engines with less clearance between the different parts allow less oil to reach combustion chamber and exhaust, thus allowing less consumption of oil.

Your Driving Style

If you take frequent ten minutes trip, often find yourself stopping and starting your car in the busy city traffic, drive in an area with dusty and pot-hole ridden roads or use your ride to pull and tow , you need to change your oil every 3000 miles. Extremity of driving conditions as well as your personal driving style is a good gauge of how frequently your car will be in need of a professional oil change.

The Tell Tale Signs

There are many signs that will let you know when it is time to have your car’s oil changed. Keep an eye on following signs and you will know exactly when to change your oil.

Your “Check Engine Light” will not turn off.
When you check the oil, you find it looking dark and gritty rather than much clearer honey brown.
Your engine is roaring louder than usual.
You do not seem to remember the last time you changed the oil.

We hope you have a better idea of how frequently should you opt for a professional oil change.