How Often Should you Change your Oil and Oil Filter?

A lot has changed about the way vehicles are built, equipped and serviced. Automotive industry advances and upgrades in technology have led to safer, more trouble-free operation for cars and trucks of all sizes. But some things remain constant, like the need to regularly change a vehicle’s oil and oil filter. The question is, how often do these services need to be done?

The automotive technicians at Al's One Stop Auto know that the answer is not the same for every vehicle. The make, model and age of your vehicle are important, and so is whether the carmaker recommends that the engine use regular motor oil, a synthetic lubricant, or a blend of the two. Driving habits and where the driver lives also need to be taken into consideration. The rule of thumb used to be changing the oil every 3,000 miles, but these days the intervals can range from 5,000 miles, to 7,500 miles, even up to 15,000 miles in some cases. And it’s important to note that just checking the color of the oil is not an indicator of its viscosity.

And don’t forget about your vehicle’s oil filter. This small but vital piece of equipment maintains the flow of motor oil as well as keeping dirt and other tiny particles from circulating throughout the engine and clogging up the works. The oil filter must be routinely inspected and changed periodically or it will become saturated and lose its effectiveness. 

The automotive technicians at Al's One Stop Auto have the advanced training and high-tech diagnostic equipment to provide top-tier service for any vehicle, whether it’s just off the showroom floor, or has been on the road for years. Every customer who drives into our service center drives out with the confidence that their vehicle has received a top-to-bottom safety check and is running at peak performance. Call us today to learn more about our comprehensive service packages.