Advancements in automotive technology have muddied the waters when it comes to oil changes. What used to be every 3,000 miles no matter what has turned into 5,000, 7,500, or even 10,000 miles. Thankfully, Auto Correct Car Care can create a customized oil-change schedule to fit your vehicle’s exact needs. We take into account more than what your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends and here is why this is important to the overall performance and lifespan of your automobile.
Mileage Milestones and Motor Oil
The motor oil you put in your engine directly affects the mileage milestone of the next oil change. If you use conventional motor oil, you’ll need your oil changed more often; if you use synthetic motor oil, you can put more miles on your car, truck, or SUV between oil changes. Conventional motor oil is organic and only lasts about 3,000 miles before it loses its viscosity. Synthetic motor oil is manmade and contains additives that allow it to remain viscous up to 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
Vehicle Make and Model
The automobile you drive will also determine how often you need your oil changed. For example, if you drive a classic car with the original engine or even a newer high-mileage vehicle, you’ll want to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Older engine parts need as much protection as possible. If you drive a new BMW, Ford, or Toyota, the automobile manufacturers boast you can drive as much as 10,000 to 15,000 miles between oil changes, but we have found that this recommendation is not ideal for many of the vehicles driven in our area.
How You Drive
Finally, how you drive directly affects how often you should have your oil changed. If you have a long commute to and from work every day, your engine works harder. If you get stuck in stop-and-go traffic to and from work every day, your engine works harder. If you drive mountainous or difficult roads all the time, your engine works harder. If you drive like a maniac, your engine works harder. All of these things affect your engine oil life, and we take this into account when we customize your oil-change schedule.
Depending on your car, truck, or SUV, the total mileage on it, how old it is, and how often and hard you drive it, we can recommend conventional versus synthetic motor oil for your automobile and then take into account the motor oil and your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations to conclude you should have your motor oil changed every 3,000, 5,000, 7,500-plus miles. Call Auto Correct Car Care in Finksburg, MD, today.