When Do You Need to Change Your Oil?

If you're new to driving or just bought your first car you may not be aware of just how often you need to change your car's oil and just how important it is to maintain an oil change schedule. Changing your oil is something to many people neglect until their engine starts to wear rough or the change engine oil light comes on. Start good habits now and don't fall into the habit of waiting for your change oil light to come on to take action in maintaining your car's engine. There are a lot of things that are hard to do in life but taking care of your oil isn't one of them.

No matter how busy you are there is no excuse to neglect one of the most important aspects of your car that even a non-mechanic can take control of. The rule of thumb is constantly shifting and changing as far as when to change your oil. It used to be set at 3,000 miles or every three months but if you drive your car excessively in a lot of stop and go traffic or you have car that is ten years or older you need to maintain an oil change in shorter intervals.

If you use synthetic blend oils, which most people do, and you don't fall into the category of driving through a lot of stop and go traffic with an older car, then the 3,000 mile mark is right on target. If, on the other, hand you use mineral oils you will need to change your cars oil far more often than most people do in order to maintain the proper oil levels regardless of how often you drive your car.

Whether you choose to change the oil yourself or have someone else do it make sure you keep track of all your oil changes including have in the filter changed. Maintaining proper auto maintenance logs can help you keep track of when you need to change your oil.

It's often easier to have a mechanic change your oil for you especially if you're not mechanically inclined or don't have the time or inclination to change your oil. The advantage to having someone else do it professionally, is they usually will do other things in addition to just changing your oil such as changing your oil filter and checking your air filter as well as other key components to your engine.

Some oil change shops will also rotator balance your tires at the same time you have your oil changed which also can help with the life expectancy of your tires and your car.

Start your good habits now in properly maintaining your car, and you will be one of those people who can make their cars last the lifetime of the vehicle without any expenses that could have been prevented with some simple maintenance... Starting with changing your car's oil on a regular basis.