When
To Change Your Oil
Knowing
when to change the oil in your car depends on the car that you own. To be
positive, reference the owner’s manual of the car to know the recommended time
to change the oil. It is important to remember not to base your judgment of
when the oil should be changed on past experience. The evolution and the
different types of cars are constantly evolving and may differ from cars you
once had.
Most
owner manuals state that oil should be changed around 5,000 miles, however that
may change depending on driving conditions. Examples of severe driving
conditions that may require an oil change around 3,000 miles include:
- Driving in stop-and-go traffic
in hot weather
- Driving at low speeds of less
that 50 mph for long distances
- Driving on roads that are
dusty, muddy, have salt, sand, or gravel
- Towing a trailer, camper, or
have heavy objects in the car
Overview:
Use your best judgment on when to change the oil in your car but make sure to
check the owner’s manual to ensure the proper timing of the oil change.
Olsen,
Patrick. “5 Things to Know About Oil Changes for Your Car.” Consumer Reports, 4 Sept. 2017,
www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/things-to-know-about-oil-changes-for-your-car/.
Thimou,
Theo. “How Often Should You Change the Oil in Your Car?” Clark Howard, Clark Howard, 26 May 2017,
clark.com/cars/oil-change/.
