You’ve probably heard many things about how often you have to change your oil. Most likely, you’ve heard that it’s recommended every 3,000 miles. But is that really true, particularly if you’re using synthetic oil and have a newer car? Roadway Insurance, Inc., a provider of MAIF car insurance, tells you just how often you have to take your car for that oil change.
1,000 Miles
Yes, we did just say that you can probably go longer than 3,000 miles for an oil change. However, that’s not always the case. Your driving habits can make it necessary to get it changed more often. If most of your driving involves trips that are under ten miles, this is true for you.
Not taking longer trips at steady highway speeds means that your oil can break down faster. This is because your engine isn’t getting hot enough to burn off condensation that builds up in the system. The bulk of the wear and tear on your engine also happens when you start up your car. If you’re doing this more frequently, without driving far, it’s not good on your engine. More frequent oil changes can help prevent this damage.
3,000 Miles
In some regards, the time the service station recommends may actually be correct. Many times people can get away with going longer. However, if you have an older car or it says in the manufacturer’s manual that you should get it changed every 3,000, it’s important to follow what that says.
5,000-7,000 Miles
For most cars nowadays, this is the recommended range. This is the average that you’ll see in most car manuals. However, you want to take your driving style and habits into consideration as well. If you’re able to go a steady speed for most of your typical drive, like on the highway, this should be fine. But if your commute is a lot of stop and go traffic, you may want to get it changed sooner.
10,000 Miles
Does your car manufacturer recommend synthetic oil? Do you often tow heavy loads? Is your engine one that’s prone to problems with sludge? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might benefit from switching to synthetic oil. While it’s more expensive, you don’t have to worry about changing your oil until it hits the 10,000-mile mark. Synthetic oil may also help prolong the life of your engine.
Keep Your Car Safe With MAIF Car Insurance
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