How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

If you automatically answered every 3,000 miles, we have good news: it’s every 7,000-10,000 miles! Thanks to automotive innovations Birmingham drivers are no longer expected to rearrange their schedule every three months for an oil change. New cars have a much lower oil change frequency than in the past. For how often you need to change your car’s oil, check your owner’s manual. Get more general oil change info with Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

What Happens When Your Car’s Oil Isn’t Changed? 

Without fresh, clean oil you run the risk of causing irreparable damage to your car’s engine. Oil keeps all the moving parts of the engine well-lubricated to prevent friction and overheating. Oil collects debris that’s caught by the oil filter. Without an oil and filter change, that debris stays in the oil and will affect your engine on Hoover streets. You’ll notice issues like: 

• Check engine and/or oil change lights are illuminated 
• Knocking sound coming from the engine
• Dark and dirty oil 
• Smoke emitting from the exhaust pipe 
• Engine overheating

Even with regular oil changes, it’s still important to check your oil monthly to make sure it’s clean and full. 

Oil Change Frequency Guidelines

How often should you change your oil? 7,000-10,000 miles is a broad guideline. Certain kinds of vehicles and driving styles will fall on the lower end of the oil change frequency spectrum. If you’re doing any of these things near Tuscaloosa, you’ll likely need to change your oil more frequently: 

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing

More Oil Change Tips

A couple of other important things to know about oil change frequency when you know the answer to “how often should you change your oil?: Even if you don’t drive your car very often, your oil change frequency should be twice a year. Oil breaks down over time and can cause damage. Always replace your oil filter when you get an oil change. If you’re doing an oil change at home, you can order an oil filter guaranteed to fit from our parts department. And finally, always make sure you’re using the right kind of oil for your car. The owner’s manual will tell you if it requires synthetic or conventional oil.

Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has Service Tips and Tricks for You! 

From oil change frequency to tire rotations and more, trust the service tips and tricks from Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to keep your vehicle up and running for years to come! Get a great deal on your next oil change — check our service specials before making your oil change appointment!