How Often Should You Have Your Oil Changed?
How Often You Should Have Your Oil Changed in Canton, GA
Regular service is needed to keep the value of your vehicle at its highest. There are many benchmarks and numbers floating around related to when you should have particular services performed on your car, like when you should have your oil changed. Especially after synthetic oil was introduced to the market, the topic of how often you should have your oil changed has been hotly debated by many service professionals.
Getting your oil changed is one of the simplest yet most essential types of service you can have performed on your vehicle. But, how often does it actually have to be changed? We're here to answer that question for you.
3,000 Miles: Fact or Fiction?
"Get your oil changed after 3,000 miles" was once recommended by mechanics and car owners everywhere. Today, however, the situation is different. While 3,000 miles was a sufficient guideline for older cars, mechanics are mostly in agreement today that the number has risen for most models manufactured in the year 2008 or later. The reason for this is that both engine and oil technology have since improved. The new recommended mileage is somewhere in the neighborhood of 7,500, although older models should stick to a somewhat lower threshold, like 5,000. Six months is a good general time frame, so that you can also have your car inspected for other services it may need.
How Do You Drive?
Experts also say that the way you drive and the climate you live in can also affect how often you should get your oil changed. A city-dweller may need to have their oil changed more frequently because the repeated starting and stopping as well as short driving distance can strain the engine without giving the oil a chance to warm up enough to work at full capacity. Colder climates also result in poor oil-functionality for the same reason.
Check Your Owner's Manual
At the end of the day, the best idea is to trust your manufacturer's judgment. Nobody knows your car better than the ones who designed and built it. Check your owner's manual to figure out when your particular model should have its oil changed, along with other routine services.
These are mainly general suggestions to give you a more well-informed opinion of when you should schedule your next oil change. As always, consult a professional for the expert opinion on your specific vehicle and its service schedule.
If you're interested in learning more about oil changes and your vehicle's service schedule in Canton, GA, stop by our dealership at 301 Liberty Blvd, Canton, GA 30114 today. We look forward to serving our customers from Canton, GA, and throughout Alpharetta and the Greater Atlanta area.