How often should I change my oil?
Many people ask the question, "How Often Should I Change my Oil?" The standard saying that we’ve always heard is, “Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles or Every 3 Months.”
But is that still true?
The answer may surprise you: YES! A quick Google Search and you will find conflicting information. Many articles will tell you that the best thing to do is to consult your Owner’s Manual. Some articles will tell you that Auto Repair Shops are lying, telling you to change your oil too often.
Let’s stop and consider something for a moment: if you wait 10,000 or 15,000 miles (or even more!) to get an Oil Change, your car will break down faster! Who is benefiting from this the most? The Car Sales Industry would surely benefit, by selling you a new car. Even Auto Repair Shops would benefit from your car breaking down! We would make a lot more money on repairs that happen when you don't change your oil enough.
Here’s the truth: We aren’t making our money from Oil Changes! We want to Protect Your Vehicle so that it can have the Best Performance Possible.
Why is an Oil Change Important?
Oil is one of the Most Important Components of Your Vehicle. Your vehicle’s Engine is made up of many moving parts; and those moving parts need to be lubricated with oil in order to avoid damage. It’s normal for even newer cars to burn oil. Over time, oil breaks down and becomes contaminated with dirt, dust and debris from both the engine and the environment.
Without Clean Oil, Your Engine Can’t Perform Properly.
The oil in your vehicle is used to maintain lubrication for your engine’s moving parts; and, to cool down those moving parts, by preventing too much friction that can cause your engine to overheat. By maintaining frequent oil changes, you ensure that your oil is clean and that it does not turn into oil sludge. This not only means improved gas mileage (who doesn’t want that?) but it also improves your vehicle’s longevity!
Vehicle Check-Ups Are Important
Vehicle Health Inspections are vital to make sure all your vehicle’s moving parts are in working order. It’s a lot like having a check-up with your doctor regularly. Most of us would like to avoid the hassle of going to the doctor often. If you skip that routine check-up (or wait longer to go in than you should) you may be fine. But what if there was something important that you missed? By going in for your routine check-up you hope to avoid bigger problems, by finding them sooner.
Graham Auto Repair Does a Courtesy Vehicle Check-Up Every Time!
When you come into Graham Auto Repair for an Oil Change, we do a Courtesy Vehicle Health Inspection. Every time! We want to make sure that your vehicle is in tip top shape. By inspecting your vehicle, we hope to catch any problems that may arise BEFORE they become a bigger problem. We want you to drive away from your Oil Change confident that you put your vehicle in good hands. We use the information gathered during your inspection to let you know if there is anything going on that you didn't know about. Our Service Advisors will never try and sell you a service that you don't need. And if there is something that can wait until a future appointment, they will let you know. Photos are taken during the Vehicle Inspection. That way if there is something to be concerned about, you will get to see the concern for yourself. The photos from the Digital Vehicle Inspection can be sent to you via email or text. Then the Service Advisor will go over everything with you when you come in. If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle or the inspection, please don't hesitate to ask! We are here to give you confidence in maintaining your vehicle for years to come. We do the inspections to keep you and your family safe!
So What Do We Recommend?
We recommend: Change Your Oil Every 3-4 months.
We encourage everyone to get their Oil Changed 3 to 4 times per year, depending on how much you are driving. Let's be honest: most of us forget to schedule an appointment for an Oil Change until the last minute! Even then we put it off longer than we should. Getting your vehicle in for an Oil Change sooner than later is always a good rule of thumb.
We also recommend: Check Your Vehicle’s Oil in Between Oil Changes.
We suggest to Check Your Oil at least one time per month. If you are driving more often, you may want to Check Your Oil once per week. Like we said before: oil is one of the most important components of your vehicle! It's normal for even new vehicles to burn oil. If you notice that your Oil is Low, it's okay to add a quart of oil in between oil changes. Make sure that you Check Your Oil on level ground to get the most accurate measurement.
Don't Hesitate to Call Us For Help!
If you don't know how to Check Your Oil, what to look for, or what type of oil to add, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. We want to ensure your vehicle is in the best working condition as possible. We want you and your passengers to be safe out there! We want to partner with you to ensure that your vehicle will last you for many years to come.
Ready to Schedule an Appointment?
Please give us a call 253-847-2221. Or click on this link to schedule online.
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