How Often to Change Oil
You’ve heard it many times before: All cars require routine oil changes—but how often should these oil changes be? It depends on several factors, but your car will require an oil change every 3,500 miles or every 5,000 miles to 7,500 miles.
So, which interval is it? Our team at Ira Toyota of Orleans is here to answer that question and more! In our oil change guide, we’ll answer three important questions:
- When should I get an oil change?
- What are the common signs to get your oil changed?
- How do I check my car’s oil?
By scheduling routine oil service, your beloved car can efficiently take on the roads near Orleans, Eastham, and Harwich, MA, for miles to come. Let’s get started by answering that first question!
When Should I Get an Oil Change?
Depending on your car’s age, type of oil, and local driving conditions, the oil change interval will vary. Generally, it boils down to whether your car uses conventional oil or synthetic oil for its engine.
For Conventional Oil
Typically, you’ll find conventional oil in older vehicles. Depending on your driving conditions, cars with conventional oil will need an oil change every 3,000 miles. However, it may need to be sooner if you drive through severe conditions, which include:
- Regular trips during extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
- Towing or hauling heavy loads of equipment
- Frequent stop-and-go driving in traffic
For Synthetic Oil
Designed to maximize efficiency and minimize friction, synthetic oil is the current standard for modern engine oil. If your car’s engine uses synthetic oil, it’ll likely need an oil change every 5,000 miles to 7,500 miles.
Like conventional oil, certain factors will affect this interval, but many newer cars are equipped with oil monitoring systems. If your vehicle has this feature, then it’ll alert you when it’s time for an imperative oil change via a dashboard light or alert.
Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change
Along with checking your car’s owner manual for its recommended interval for oil changes, there are other key signs to keep an eye out for as you’re driving. If you notice any of these signs, then it’s time to schedule that routine oil change service!
- Increased engine noise. Is your engine louder than usual? Is it emitting a grinding or knocking noise? If so, then it likely means the metal components are rubbing up against each other—and that means it’s time for an oil change.
- Oil smell inside the car. If you notice an oil-like odor as you’re driving, then it may be signifying an oil leak, which means it’s time for service.
- Excessive exhaust. If you drive a modern car, it generally shouldn’t release excessive exhaust from its tailpipe. If it starts doing so, it may mean that there’s old oil in your engine.
- Dark, sludge-like oil. If you check the oil in your car—more on that in the next section—and notice that it’s dark and dirty, then it’s time for an oil change. Clean and healthy oil has an amber color and is slightly translucent!
How Do I Check My Car’s Oil?
In the previous section, we mentioned that drivers can check their car’s oil themselves to determine if it’s time for an oil change. Luckily, this process is relatively simple and only takes a few minutes to do at home!
Before you start, make sure you have a clean paper towel or rag since you’ll need it. Then, follow these steps to check your vehicle’s oil:
1.Park your car on level ground and turn the engine off.
2.Pop open the hood of your car.
- Find the engine oil dipstick. Usually, it has a yellow- or orange-colored handle and is marked with a symbol in the shape of an oil can. Refer to your car’s owner manual if you can’t find it.
4.Pull out the dipstick.
5.Wipe the end of the dipstick onto a clean paper towel or rag.
- Slowly insert the dipstick back into the tube. Make sure to push it all the way down.
- Take out the dipstick and examine its tip for oil. Based on its markings, it’ll tell you if the oil level is low or not.
If you check the tip of the dipstick and determine that the oil level is low, then it’s time to schedule a service appointment! Luckily, there’s a nearby service center for you.
Now That You Know How Often to Change the Oil…
…it’s time to see if your car requires an oil change! If it does, you can turn to the dedicated team at Ira Toyota of Orleans. At our service center, our meticulous technicians complete routine services, like oil changes, for drivers near Orleans, Eastham, and Harwich, Massachusetts.
Schedule your service appointment with us online today!
