Protect Your Car With An Oil Change

If your engine is the heart of your car, oil is the lifeblood. This lubricating fluid helps to keep everything clean and running smoothly. When you rely on your car every day to help you do what you do, it's important to be a responsible owner and make sure that you perform regular oil changes or bring it to a mechanic when you need to. In general, every three months to three thousand miles is the average for an oil change, but it all depends on how you use your car.

When thinking about an oil change, you also have to think about what your car has done in the last few months. If you're a regular car owner, chances are you rarely take long trips. Your maintenance schedule is going to look fairly consistent, especially if you live in a place with few major inclines. If you have a truck that performs heavy duty hauling, this is a different story. The harder your car works, the harder the engine and its oil work. It doesn't matter if it's for work or for your own personal use, it would be important to regularly check the level and quality of your oil to see if you'll need a change sooner.

The other thing that puts a lot of stress on a car engine is a long road trip. In most cars, the oil is only cleaned through the filter when the car is at rest. When you're driving hundreds of miles without stopping, you're putting a lot of stress on the engine and its oil. You may find that on your trip you need an oil change to maintain a good level of clean oil.

It's easy enough to check the quality of your oil. Simply identify where in your car your engine oil resides and pull out the dipstick. The dipstick will tell you just how much oil is in your car. There will be a line indicating the carmaker's recommendation for your make and model. If you need more, you may simply just need to add additional oil yourself. Next, take a paper towel or white t-shirt rag and check the color. It should be light brown and fairly thin. If it is darker or thicker, that is a clear sign you'll need an oil change. If both the level and color of the oil is fine, you have some more time to go before you'll need maintenance.

By understanding what determines a necessary oil change, you can better protect your car. It is helpful when you feel a part of the maintenance, too. Keep a roll of paper towel, a rag, and a bottle of engine oil in your car so you're ready for a quick oil inspection at all times.