How often do I need an Oil Change?

Even though oil changes are relatively simple and cheap, they significantly help extend your engine’s longevity and enhance its overall operating performance. By staying on top of routine oil changes, you can prevent excessive engine wear and tear. Fresh, clean oil optimizes your car’s performance by keeping the engine parts lubricated, protecting against metal-on-metal contact. 

You may not always be able to rely on the mileage interval or the dash warning light to let you know when it’s time to schedule an oil change service.  Oil deteriorates and loses its effectiveness over time.  As a result, your vehicle may start to suffer from an overdue oil change.  

“How often do I need an oil change?”  The answer is simple—read your owner’s manual or ask your auto repair mechanic.  By adhering to the suggested intervals for oil changes, you can avoid the issues listed below:  

1. Dark and Dirty Oil -- Over time, the oil will darken and get dirty from the particles it collects from the engine.  If you can’t see the dip stick through the oil, it’s time for an oil change.
2. Noisy Engine -- You may start to hear louder engine noises, such as knocking, rumbling, and even roaring as dirty oil is not able to lubricate engine parts as well.
3. Warning Light -- An illuminated oil change light on the instrument panel indicates that there’s too little oil in the system. You may get by with adding a quart of oil.  But if the oil is dark, it’s time for an oil change.  
4. Exhaust Smoke -- If you notice smoke coming from the muffler (compared to translucent vapor in cold temperatures), there could be an oil leak in the engine.  
5. Oil Smell -- If you notice a strong smell of oil, there is possibly a leak. If the smell is mixed with the smell of gas or exhaust fumes, it indicates that your vehicle is overheating and oil is burning in the exhaust area, causing serious engine damage. 

Tip:  Ask your auto shop about their oil change coupons!

Are you asking, “How often do I need an oil change?”  Call our ASE Certified technicians at theWrench, Ltd. Car Care Center about our oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Silverdale, WA, and the surrounding area.

Do you know How Often Should You Really Change Your Oil?

Do you really know how often should you really change your oil?  Auto shops have found that often car owners will skip an oil change because they think they are saving money or they simply don’t know what kind of oil change is wanted for their vehicle.  

If you are in that category, just be aware that the repair for engine damage caused by dirty or low oil is far more expensive than paying for regular oil changes.  Many auto shops offer oil change coupons to make timely oil changes more reasonable for their customers!

5 facts you should know about oil changes:

1. Purpose.  Clean oil keeps the engine greased so that the metal components aren’t grinding against each other and creating unnecessary heat.  Changing the oil carries away dirt, dust, and other impurities that can clog up the engine parts.
2. Mileage Interval.  Depends on the age of your car, the type of oil used, and your driving conditions. With today’s upgraded oils, the interval for various engines is now between 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or some oil (particularly full synthetic oil) is good for 15,000 miles.  
3. Warning Light.   Many warning lights are programmed to come on automatically at the 3,000 mile mark after every oil change.  
4. Temperature.  The Society of Automotive Engineers developed designations to indicate the viscosity of oil.  It is generally less viscous (thinner) when cold and more viscous when hot.  For example, for 10-30W oil--the "10" refers to the thickness when the engine is cold and the "30" refers to the thickness when the engine is hot.    
5. Type of Oil.  There are three common types of oil--conventional, premium, and synthetic.  Definite high-tech engines require synthetic oils, while more mainstream engines typically use conventional oils. Premium oils have extra additives useful for special driving wants, and blends that combine synthetic and premium conventional oils are often used for trucks and SUVs. 

Keeping up with oil changes is the most profitable maintenance item wanted to keep your vehicle operating at its peak performance level.   Follow your owner’s manual or ask your auto mechanic about the appropriate mileage interval and what type of oil is best for your vehicle.

Do you want to know more about how often should you really change your oil?  Contact our ASE Certified specialists at theWrench, Ltd. Car Care Center today about our oil change coupons and to Make an appointment. Our ASE Certified auto shop proudly serves residents in Silverdale, WA, and the surrounding area.