How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

on time and with the proper products could avoid that warranty. However, experts now say that the standard oil change interval of every three months, or every three thousand miles that's about five thousand kilometers is old news, and that most cars can travel quite a bit farther before needing their oil replaced. If you're changing your oil more frequently than necessary, it won't help your car. It doesn't harm it either, But

you're wasting money, time, and resources. After all, throwing away oil that's still usable puts a strain on the environment. There are four main recommended intervals for oil changes, based on factors specific to you and your car. Number one, Under some circumstances, experts recommend changing your oil every one thousand miles that's six KOs, or every six months. Now, I know, I know. If some experts say that three thousand miles is too often, why would those same experts

recommend intervals of every one thousand miles. It all depends on your driving habits. If you're driving routine consists mostly of trips that are ten miles or less, you should consider changing your oil more often than every three thousand miles for two reasons. If you aren't making long trips at high steady speeds like you would on a highway, then your engine isn't getting hot enough to boil off condensation that can accumulate in the system that can cause

oil to break down faster. Most of the wear and tear on your engine occurs when you're starting your car, and if you aren't driving very far, most of your driving is of the type that's very hard on your engine. More frequent oil changes will help minimize that damage. In short, if you drive your car infrequently, as in much less than the mileage of your recommended service interval, you should still change your oil twice a year, since the oil

degrades over time. In r all number two, that old standard three thousand miles or five thousand kilometers or every three months. Some car experts suggest that the three thousand mile interval is really for the benefit of the shops that change the oil, since the more frequently you come in, the more money they make. Still, if you have an older model car that recommends this interval, you're probably better

off adhering to it. Meanwhile, most modern car owners manuals actually recommend longer intervals, every five thousand miles that's about eight thousand to twelve thousand kilometers. However, some manufacturers recommend you also take your driving style and habits into account. For instance, if your car is fairly new and you usually drive twenty minutes or more and achieve fairly steady speeds as opposed to stop and go traffic the entire drive,

you are a prime candidate for less frequent oil changes. However, if your car is older, it's best to stick with the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule. In some cases, experts recommend going as long as ten thousand to fifteen thousand miles that's sixteen thousand to twenty four thousand kilometers, or every six months. That's in cases where your cars manufacturer recommend synthetic oil, or if you decide to make the switch.

Though synthetic oil is much more expensive than regular oil, it has more benefits. It's better for the environment and can perform better than regular oil. That's because synthetic oil doesn't break down like regular oil. Synthetic oil can also withstand more extreme temperatures. It won't break down in a hot engine or during hot weather. In winter, synthetic oil can resist the effects of cold, which means it will start flowing as soon as you start your car. Opinions differ, though,

about whether upgrading is worth it. While some experts suggest doing it in most circumstances, Consumer Reports says that generally you shouldn't switch to synthetic if your car doesn't need it. If you frequently tow heavy loads, synthetic oil can help ease the extra strain on your engine. If you own a model known to be prone to sludge issues, that is, when your engine gets clogged with the residue of degraded oil. Synthetic can help alleviate those problems and prolong the life

of your engine. It's best to keep track of the miles you drive between oil changes, though some cars make this easier with a dashboard indicator that tells you it's time to head to the shop as part of what's called an oil life monitoring system. These systems track your mileage, and also use data from your driving that's analyzed by your car's computer to determine when your car and use

an oil change. When the light illuminates, it's best to get the oil changed as soon as possible, but it's not necessarily urgent if your car has an oil life monitoring system. Note that this light is different than your oil pressure light, which illuminates on your dash If your car's oil isn't flowing properly due to low level, failing oil pump, a leak in the system, or some other issue, check your owner's manual to learn the difference between the

two dash lights. Because if the oil pressure light comes on, you need to stop driving as soon as possible to avoid engine damage. Get in the habit of checking your oil at least once a month to ensure your car is not leaking or burning oil. If the level is low at oil, a good oil should be a transparent brown black color. If the oil is murky or pake it might be time for a change, and if it's milky,

your engine maybe leaking coolant. However, if your car has one of the aforementioned oil monitoring systems, you might not have a dipstick to check the oil with the moral of the story here is that if you don't know how often to change your oil or how to check it between oil changes, consult your owner's manual. These habits will help ensure the longevity of your engine. Today's episode was written by Shery's three Wit and produced by Tyler Clang.

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