The Right Time For An Oil Change

As a car owner it is important to maintain your vehicle so that it will last and so that you will be able to possibly resell it in the future. Part of this maintenance is having an oil change when your car needs it. Many people might do this for themselves if they have the knowledge of cars. It is possible even for professionals to make errors when doing this maintenance, so it is important that you have a competent company doing the work.

It used to be that cars needed an oil change every 3 months or 3,000 miles. It now lasts longer than this because of the product today and the engines, and if it is thrown away after this short time then most likely the mechanic is getting rid of good product. There really is no exact number that can be said for every type of car. It is suggested that individuals check their individual vehicle's manual so that they can see what is suggested there. It will depend a lot on the type of driving you do. If you drive in the city where there a lot of lights and you tend to do a lot of stopping and starting then you will need an oil change sooner than if you drive on a highway. Depending on your vehicle and the type of driving you may be able to wait up to 10,000 miles.

Even though the mandated time frame has changed from what it used to be this does not mean that getting an oil change is not important. It does still need to be done. During these changes you likely have numerous other parts of your car checked. By waiting quite a bit longer between these visits, you may want to add a check of other aspects of your car like the brakes, fluids, and wheels.

It is important to go to a respected mechanic because when it comes to a job they think they could do with their eyes closed it is still important for them to check and double check that they have done the job right. If a mistake is made it could cost you your engine. Look for a mechanic that has been there for a while or at least in business for some time and has a good reputation in the community. You can find this out by looking online or asking around. Sometimes going to a franchise is wise because they might be more standardized.

Once you find a mechanic that you can trust, stick with them. By having a regular mechanic, you will be more likely to get your oil change and other maintenance done when you should. If you have yet to find one, do not put it off any longer.