It can be hard to remember to do routine maintenance to your car—especially when that maintenance can happen years apart. Depending on how often you drive your car, the type of car, and the oil in the car, will dictate how long you should go without an oil change. We here at Bowers Automotive are committed to helping you find your way through the ocean that is car maintenance. We’ve compiled a strong list of facts about your oil and why it needs attention when it’s time to change it.
When Should It Be Changed Normally?
In the olden days, oil changes happened far more often. Some folks out there will tell you that you should be changing your oil every 2,000-3,000 miles. In reality, because our cars have become more efficient and better at what they do, our oil options have also become more effective and better. Some vehicles will require a change at 5,000 or 7,000 miles—but this isn’t because the car is older. Rather, it’s because of the type of oil that the car requires. Lubricants can wear down worse than others, so while the old-school car guys would tell you to change twice as much as usual, most of the time, you’d be served far better with less. At the same time, it could be argued that the holy grail of oil changes comes in the form of fully synthetic oils, which explode the change time out to 15,000 miles. These oils even work within 20-year-old cars! But remember, the oil your car can take will dictate your oil change times. If you don’t know the oil that goes into your car, we are your local answer!
But What if I Don’t Change It?
Well, I wish I could tell you that it won’t make a difference, but it does. It makes a huge difference in how your car performs and its ability to do literally anything. When you start to miss oil changes and allow that oil to sit in your engine for long amounts of time, your engine will start to lose its effectiveness since the parts that need lubrication will be severely lacking lubricant. What’s more, is that your oil helps to regulate the temperature within the motor itself. This means that letting your engine oil continue to be used can change how your motor interacts with its own components. The engine pieces can begin to warp and wear out in dramatic ways. And all of this is considering your car can even start. If your car is unable to start because of no oil, there’s no way for you to then go back and put in oil to fix the problem. The engine will need to be taken apart and fixed from the inside by professionals.
Okay, But I Don’t Know When That Change Should Happen…
If you’ve kept on top of keeping watch of your miles, and you know the type of oil your car takes, you already have an idea of when your next change should happen. But, if you don’t know the last time the car oil was changed, and you don’t know what oil it takes, there are a few signs that it needs to be changed. If your car is experiencing:
- A lot of exhaust during acceleration or problems when starting
- Inconsistent or changing oil levels, or low oil levels
- Dramatically increased engine noises or shaking during idling
- More mileage usage than usual
- A consistent check engine light
All of these are signs that you need an oil change—but you’ll notice that all of these could also be symptoms of other issues too. That is why we suggest that you bring your car into professionals to change your oils. Within our shop, we are able to diagnose issues quickly, and if the problem is just oil, you can have it changed while you wait. But, if the issue is more than oil, you’ll already have your car in the shop for it to be repaired.
At Bowers Automotive, our team of experts work with a combination of technology and skill to give you the best experience possible from a car shop. We are happy to service and repair even the most difficult of vehicles, from domestic cars and import cars, to trucks and SUVs. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, give us a call or visit our home page for more information. If you’d like to read more about your car and our role its repair and maintenance, visit our blog.