Blog

Change is Good (Oil Change)

Change is good, no doubt you have heard that expression before. And when it comes to the oil in your vehicle, change is not only good, but also vital for the health of the engine. But there is one question many drivers ask: how frequently should I change the oil? The tricky things is, there is not one simple answer, but here are some guidelines that will help you answer this question for yourself.

It used to be a rule of thumb that vehicles got their oil changed once every 3 months or 3,000 miles. But times have changed. Oil formulations have gotten better, and engine designs have made longer oil change intervals possible.

Most experts say to follow the recommendations that come from the manufacturer that designed and built your vehicle. These designers and engineers know more about your vehicle than anyone else. They explain their recommended oil change intervals and type of oil in your owner's manual. Many auto manufacturers say you can go at least 5,000 miles between oil changes, and many recommend even longer intervals now. If you use full synthetic oil, it does not have to be changed as often.

Do you ever wonder why you have to change the oil in your vehicle? It is because your vehicle lives in a dirty environment and contaminants build up in your engine oil. Over time, these contaminants break down the oil turning it to sludge. Without optimal lubrication, increased friction inside the engine starts wearing down the metal components, shortening the life of the engine.

Not only do auto manufacturers recommend oil change intervals in the manual, many vehicles also now alert drivers by a dashboard light or other electronic indicator. It doesn't exactly say, "Hey, time to change your oil, it’s starting to wear on me." But it does give you a pretty good hint. Some of these warning systems simply measure the distance you've traveled. More sophisticated vehicles have sensors that measure temperature, driving time and engine revolutions to determine when the oil is getting past its useful lifespan. Do yourself a favor and don't wait too long before coming in to change the oil at Hilltop Tire Service.

Driving habits make a difference, too. Short, stop-and-go driving will stress your engine and oil more than longer trips at highway speeds.

And here's one more plus side to getting your oil changed regularly at Hilltop Tire Service. Our technician will keep an eye on the rest of your vehicle to make sure everything is in tip top shape. Rest assured though that if everything looks good, we’ll tell you that too.

The bottom line is this: Oil changes are good for your vehicle in many ways and probably the most important maintenance service you can get. Schedule an oil change today, your engine will thank you!