Remembering Your Oil Change and When to Get One
There has been much debate on when it's necessary to get an oil change for your vehicle. Tailoring this schedule to your specific needs is the way to go. Read on to learn more.
Are you the type of person who can never remember when to get an oil change? While most mechanics will provide you with a window sticker that tells you when to bring your car back in,
not all will. Even those that do may have recommendations that don't jive with your manufacturer's. After all, shops want to get you back in there as soon as possible. This means sticking with the tried and true "every 3,000 miles" chestnut, which is largely outdated. Still, words can hardly convey how important it is to keep up with regular lubrication changes. Here's how to make some stickers that will help you remember to take your car in.
Get an Oil Change
Take your car in and get a lube job from your favorite mechanic. If you don't know someone already, check with the people you know to see if you can get a trusted referral. There is too much information out there to blindly pick a shop at random out of the phone book. Your co-workers and friends will be more than happy to share their good (and bad) experiences with you. If that fails, you can always look online to see if there are any customer reviews to point you in the right direction.
Calculations
Once you've gotten your oil change, take note of the number on your odometer. Consult your owner's manual to see how often they recommend changing the lubrication fluid. Keep in mind that this information will not always be current. If you're following the same instructions for a 10 year old car as you were when you drove it off the lot, you may be endangering your engine. Generally speaking, however, newer cars can get away with a lube job every 6,000 miles or so. Add whichever number you choose to the current number on your odometer. This will be the mileage point at which you'll want to return to the shop.
Making the Sticker
Almost any office supply store will sell small stickers that will be perfect for your purposes. One side should have adhesive, but you should be able to write on the other side. Write the mileage you've calculated on the sticker, peel off the backing, and apply it to the upper left hand corner of the windshield. Make sure you place it far enough into the corner so that it doesn't obstruct your view when driving. That's all there is to it. Now you have a constant reminder of when you need to bring your car back in for a new oil change.
