How Often Should I Change My Oil?

The oil change is a service that cars have been regularly needing for decades. Generations of drivers have asked how often they should change their oil, and while this may seem like a simple question, the fact is that oil change intervals are changing.

That’s why Andy Mohr Ford has set out to provide the answers for Plainfield, Indianapolis, and Brownsburg drivers.

Schedule Service

At How Many Miles Should I Change My Oil?

If you ask many drivers this question, the answer you may get is that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles. This has been the classic oil change interval for years, but the fact is that it doesn’t account for recent advances in engineering.

Today, the more accurate oil-change interval may be between 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on your driving style and what oil you use.

With that said, the best way to find out the mileage at which you should change your oil is to simply follow the guidelines laid out for you in your owner’s manual. Manufacturers include maintenance schedules and recommendations on what oil you should use. This will tell you what the best interval is for your vehicle.

In the end, though, nothing can quite substitute manually checking your oil periodically. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your oil every couple of weeks to see what its levels are. This is the most accurate way to tell when you need to change your oil.

Should I Use Conventional or Synthetic Oil?

One factor that you should consider when determining how often you should change your oil is what oil you’re using. Some drivers may choose to fill their vehicle with conventional oil, and while this oil works perfectly fine, it won’t last as long as synthetic.

Synthetic oil is becoming more and more the oil of choice for many drivers. Unlike conventional oil, it is not made from crude oil. It has fewer impurities to ensure that synthetic oil flows much more easily than conventional.

If you use conventional oil, you’re likely looking at changing it every 3,000 miles, while synthetic may be able to last up to 5,000 or 10,000 miles under the right circumstances.

How Does My Driving Style Affect My Oil Life?

Every driver needs their car for a little something different, but there are certain driving conditions that can affect your oil life. Manufacturers often consider two different driving conditions when coming up with maintenance schedules: normal and severe.

Normal driving is your everyday commuting and errands––your oil last longer under low-stress driving like this. Severe driving is when you tow or go off-roading often. This puts a strain on your engine, meaning it uses more oil. If you put your car through severe driving, you may want to consider changing your oil more often.

Schedule an Oil Change With Us

Now that you have an idea of when you should have your oil changed, it may be a good idea to look into scheduling an oil change in the Plainfield, Indianapolis, and Brownsburg areas.

Luckily, our team at Andy Mohr Ford is here to lend a hand with our service center. If you’re due for an oil change, schedule a service appointment with us today!