How Often Should I Change The Oil In My Car?

It used to be that motorists were recommended to change their oil every 3,000 miles but this is no longer the case. In recent years, the recommended time has drifted out to 5,000 miles and then 8,000 miles and there are some experts recommending oil should be changed every 15,000 miles. Modern cars are of a high standard and the improved technology has reduced the need to change oil on a frequent basis, but it is still a requirement.

Cars have improved significantly in recent years but they haven’t changed that much and many of the traditional methods are still in place. This means that pumps, pistons and crankshafts are all in place and these need to be properly lubricated. No matter how technically advanced you think cars and engines are, without sufficient oil, they would seize up quickly. While the improvements in vehicles has been cited as a reason as to why oil changes are less frequent, there have also been great improvements in the quality of oil. Anyone using synthetic oil will find that their need to replace their oil will slow down but synthetic oil is also used up faster when you drive, so the change isn’t that radical.

You can test your own oil and see how dirty it looks or seems

You can examine the condition of your oil by using a dip-stick and you’ll find that after 3,000 miles, the initial recommended time for an oil change, your oil will still be relatively clean. It pays to look at your oil yourself every so often because different cars are affected in different ways. If you drive on dusty roads or carry out a lot of short drives, you’ll find that your oil is dirtier than the oil in cars that traditionally drive on motorways and highways.

If you are not sure of what you should be looking for or you are lacking in confidence when it comes to changing oil, professional help is available. If you are located in or close to Huddersfield, calling on the services of Five Star Autocentre is a sensible approach to caring for your car. If you don’t know what you are doing with respect to caring for your car, you can cause more harm than good, so it is often best to leave the work to the experts.

You should be looking to change your oil more frequently than the recommended times if you:

• Use your car to tow trailers
• If there is a turbocharger in your vehicle
• Mainly drive short trips
• Race your car on a frequent basis
• Drive on off-road style surfaces

You should be looking to change your oil less frequently than the recommended times if you:

• Find that the oil is clean when you are supposed to change it
• Mainly undertake highway or motorway driving
• Use synthetic oil

For the best standard of oil testing and oil replacement services, contact Five Star Autocentre in Huddersfield.

Article written by Five Star Autocentre
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