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When Should I Have my Oil Changed?

The old rules of oil changes every 3,000 miles are changing quickly. This is because oil companies are evolving to increase the efficiency and the use life of the oil too much longer periods. In doing this, they are expanding their customer base because now the oil can be used for several different types of vehicles in many different situations. Everything from a personal vehicle that is used to run errands to a race car that travels at approximately 200 miles an hour can take advantage of the longer life length of the oil changes. If you want to research out a particular brand, you'll get a better idea of how it performs and what you should expect over time.

New Oil Life Length

Typically, the life of oil only begins to lessen at 5,000 miles now. From this point it can increase to much longer time periods. Some companies are now expanding the life of their oil to as long as 100,000 miles. Although this may sound unbelievable, it has a lot to do with the way the oil is manufactured and the kind of additives that are now being featured. The details make a big difference in terms of how it performs and the price investment that you make. This is especially helpful when you're talking about a semi-truck or another workhorse vehicle that is very expensive to change the oil on consistently.

Of course, you will want to read and follow the recommended manufacturer settings when it comes to oil changes and these will be updated with every new vehicle. Like auto tire rotations, you won't have to stick to the 3,000 mile rule, especially when the manufacturer is recommending perhaps every 7,000 for a regular vehicle. This is something to consider in terms of consistent maintenance records if you ever consider selling the vehicle. Your buyer will be curious to know how well you have maintained a vehicle during your ownership time.

Engine Notifications and Oil Problems

Keep in mind the engine light on your dashboard will let you know as well if there is a problem with the oil and usually this light will come on to notify you. If you ever have a question on why the light seems to be on a little earlier than normal, you might have a mechanic check out the problem to give you their professional opinions. Of course, if you're feeling confident enough, you can also check the quality of the oil yourself. This means checking the color of the oil and making sure that it has still retained its light quality. The darker the oil is, the dirtier it has become.

Remember that there are several different oil companies available and when you do have an oil change done, you want to get the best type possible. Investing in your vehicle like this not only improves efficiency but also performance. It may seem a little more expensive at the time of the oil change, but you will see the financial benefits in fewer repairs that are needed throughout the life of that oil purchase. This is something to consider when you're trying to plan your car maintenance budget and determine what is more important to spend money on. It's also a time when you may want to ask your mechanic's advice to see what they recommend and what has been offering the best results for their clients. Doing this will give you access to expert advice that is current so you can make smarter choices on when should I have my oil changed. .