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How Often Should You Be Changing Your Car’s Oil?

Posted by Zane Winberg on

The oil in your car is responsible for a few things: to keep engine parts lubricated, to clean your car’s engine, and to keep the engine at a reasonable temperature. Obviously, oil plays a huge part in ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly and properly. Over time and with use, the oil in your car becomes contaminated and turns dark in color and loses efficiency. This tells us it’s time to replace the oil and potentially the filter. But how long can you go without changing your oil? How often should your car’s oil be replaced?

The Standard

At one time, the typical auto advice was to have your car’s oil changed every 3,000 miles or every three months. However, that standard is as obsolete as your car’s cassette player. This dated guideline is still followed by some, though it is no longer applicable for today’s vehicles. Over the last 50 or so years, the rules have changed with the advances in motor engines and with synthetic oils that are of higher quality. Many suggest that 5,000 to 10,000 miles (or more, depending on your vehicle) should be the new standard in oil changes.

What to Consider

One thing to keep in mind is that every makes, model, and even year of a car could be different from the last, so it is important to check your owner’s manual on the recommended oil change interval. Most manufacturers will have two suggestions for oil changes: one for “normal” driving routines and the other for “severe” driving routines. Your typically daily commuting routine is considered “normal” and “severe” is for those that race, go off-road riding, or are towing trailers or is for commercial vehicles. If you are unsure what is recommended for your vehicle, be sure to check out your owner’s manual.

Just because you own two Hondas, doesn’t mean they get serviced on the same schedule. Read your manual for that extra peace of mind and to allow your vehicles to run their very best. If you drive a newer car, many manufacturers now equip their vehicles with oil-life monitors that will tell you (typically on your dashboard) when it’s time to change your oil. Many factors go into monitoring this including vehicle speed, the temperature of your engine, climate conditions and other elements, and other factors. If you’re still feeling unsure or wary, check your oil levels monthly to ensure you have enough oil and that damage is not occurring.


Save Money

Changing your car’s oil every 3,000 or three months is likely wasting time and money. Even though the oil change frequency recommendations have changed over the years, one thing that has remained the same is the need to change your car’s oil. Make sure to check out the selection of engine oils, additives, and cleaners that Boost Performance Products offer.


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