How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

Some people have their car’s oil changed every 3,000 miles on the dot, while others are likely to wait a year between oil changes. Whichever scenario you connect with more, it’s important to understand why your car does need oil changes and how long you should wait between them.

Understanding oil changes better, and perhaps tweaking your own oil change habits, will help to ensure your car is running as well as it can for as long as possible. Read on to find out the nuts and bolts behind getting an oil change in Hanford, CA:

• Oil plays a key role: You might have had your car’s oil changed many times without really even understanding why you do it. The first thing to understand is that oil plays an important role in your car’s health and performance. Oil is meant to help the engine run well by lubricating the engine parts. Over time, oil collects a lot of substances that make it “dirty,” including grit, dirt and other contaminants. Once this happens, the oil becomes less efficient at its job. This is why it’s wise to change your oil throughout the year so your engine will run at peak performance.
• The 3,000-mile standard: Most people have heard that you should take your car in for an oil change every 3,000 miles. This became a common number in the car industry because it keeps you coming to the shop regularly to change the oil. It’s a reasonable number of miles in between changes, as your vehicle will continue to work efficiently if you keep having the oil changed on a consistent basis.
• There’s no one right answer: Though 3,000 miles was once the standard, it’s certainly not the “true” answer to how frequently you should change your oil. The best place to look to find that information is in your car’s manual. Every make and model needs something different. Many newer vehicles, for example, will have manuals that note that you can wait as much as 5,000 miles between oil changes. You also need to consider the type of driving you’re doing. The manual offers a guideline, but that guideline is based on what the manufacturer considers “normal” driving conditions. If you drive often in extreme weather or with heavy loads, you may want to get your oil changed more frequently.

Once you discover you need to get an oil change in Hanford, CA, make sure to do so at a trusted mechanic. AAA Sandoval Transmissions has built its excellent reputation over the past 40 years because of its expert technicians and customer-oriented services. Our hard work has gained us an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and if you stop by, we’ll show you how deserving our shop is of this rating.

Our team of talented technicians is here to help you get the most out of your vehicle. On top of standard oil changes, AAA Sandoval Transmissions can handle most of your car repair needs, including transmission repair, brake repair or replacement and general tune-ups. Call or stop by today for more information!

Categorised in: Oil Changes

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