How Often to Change Oil?

How Often to Change Oil?

How Often to Change Oil?

Changing your car’s motor oil is an important maintenance step to maximize your vehicle’s performance and lifespan. It’ll also help prevent mechanical failures that might lead to accidents when driving. 

Every car owner should know that it’s always a good idea to get an oil change service but the question that we hear many drivers ask is, “how often should I get my oil changed?”

When to Get Your Oil Changed

Many people recommend that you get an oil change service every 3,000 or 5,000 miles. While it’s true that you should have your oil changed after every interval, you should know that the number of miles your car can travel before needing the service depends entirely on what model you’re driving. 

Older cars may need more frequent oil changes while newer ones typically last longer before they start experiencing the symptoms of a dried-up engine. This is another reason why you should keep track of your mileage. 

Another factor that determines oil change frequency is the type of oil your car uses. Traditional motor oil can last anywhere between 5,000 to 7,000 miles while fully synthetic oils can last for over 10,000 miles before needing to be changed. 

Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates based on average data collected through years of collective experience shared by countless technicians. If you want an accurate representation of your own car’s specifications, consult your user’s manual. 

Signs That You Need an Oil Change

It goes without saying that your car’s performance will degrade over time. Regular maintenance can prevent any damage caused by deterioration but it can be tricky to tell if and when you need to roll your car into a service center. 

The negative effects of stagnant motor oil can be very serious and you’ll be able to feel the difference in your car’s performance once the symptoms start acting up. Here are some of the things you should look out for that should warrant a visit to the auto shop:

  1. Excessive exhaust smoke – If you notice that your car has been belching black smoke recently, then it likely means that your engine isn’t burning fuel as well as it should be. Unchanged oil can cause high friction which, in turn, can cause your engine’s moving parts to grind and scratch. Be sure to check your oil level and have a specialist see if your engine has incurred any serious damage. 

  2. Odd ticking noises – If you hear a weird ticking sound as your engine warms up, then it probably means that it’s having a hard time circulating oil. The most likely culprit to this is the motor oil.
     
  3.  Abnormal vibrations – Poor oil quality can cause your car to shake. This is especially noticeable when your car is sitting idle. The shaking is caused by high friction in your engine. When you notice this happening, try to keep moving to minimize any potential damage and head straight for a service center.

  4. Rough oil texture – All kinds of motor oil grows darker with time but while the color of oil is a decent sign of its age, you should be more worried about its texture. If you notice your engine oil is grainier or has more gunk than usual, then it’s a good time to have your oil changed. 

Schedule an Oil Change in Boca Raton

Autobahn of Roca offers complete synthetic oil change services for all prestige car owners near Boca Raton. Leave your high-end cars in the good hands of our expert technicians that’ll make them feel brand new.