How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
Our drivers in the Long Beach, Torrance, and Fullerton area know that oil changes are the most common form of automotive maintenance that they need to have performed on their vehicle. It’s also one of the most important services that your vehicle needs to perform its best. However, there are many different schools of thought about how often you should change your oil.
In this article, we discuss what oil does, what types of oil there are, and how often you should change it. By reading this article, you’ll know when the time is right to have your oil changed.
What Does Oil Do?
Oil serves as a lubricant for the numerous moving metal parts that are housed in your engine. Without oil, these parts would constantly grind against each other, which would result in friction. Too much friction results in your engine overheating, and your vehicle failing to move.
Oil works hard to disperse heat and keep those metal parts clean. Over time, oil gets dirty and it doesn’t work as well, so it needs to get swapped out. You also should change out your oil filter because it helps to keep the oil clean.
What Types of Oil Are There?
There are two major oil types: conventional and synthetic. Conventional oil is less expensive than synthetic oil, but that’s one of the only advantages that it has. This oil is more susceptible to breaking down, and it does so pretty quickly, meaning you’ll need to have your oil changed more frequently.
Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, but it lasts much longer. This specific oil doesn’t break down as fast as conventional oil. You may even save money because you won’t have to change your oil as frequently.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
INFINITI recommends that you have your oil changed every 5,000 miles. This is a good benchmark to go by because most automotive companies recommend an oil change every 3,000 to 7,000 miles.
Depending on how you drive can also affect your oil life. If you commute regularly and run errands on the weekends, you fall under normal driving habits. But if you don’t drive as frequently or you’re always in stop-and-go traffic, you may want to change your oil a lot sooner.
Some people worry about how long an oil change takes, but the truth is, not that long. Most oil changes can be performed within 20 minutes. This includes the oil filter change. Of course, you don’t have to wait if you already know how to change your oil. This skill can help you to save money in the long run, and you won’t have to set time apart from your busy schedule.
Now that you know how often you should change your oil, you’re ready to keep your vehicle running efficiently. Drivers in the Long Beach, Torrance, and Fullerton area can always schedule an oil change with us at Cerritos INFINITI.