From when we received the keys to our first car, will be reminded to get an oil change every 3,000 miles. An oil change every 3,000 miles has been the message passed down from generation to generation. We’ve all heard the stories of those on traveling the open road, enjoying the weekend scenery and all of the sudden, the car stops dead in its tracks due to old, cruddy oil. It’s the story told to us by our parents and elders to instill the fear of our car breaking down on us.
Not keeping up with frequent oil maintenance will have you seeing a decrease in gas mileage, and even worse, damages could occur, amounting in the thousands of dollars to repair. To keep your engine running safely, it’s important to follow the owner’s manual recommendations for oil changes and to consult a mechanic that specializes in the make and model of your vehicle.
Each manufacturer manual will list two suggested mileage intervals to get an oil change. One is for regular driving conditions and the other is for severe driving conditions. When taking into consideration of what ‘severe driving conditions’ entails, 80% of Americans drive in these conditions. Characteristics of driving in severe conditions include:
-Frequent stop and go traffic
-Excessive idling
-Excessive driving in hot temperatures (over 90 degrees)
-Excessive driving in very cold temperatures (under 10 degrees)
-Excessive towing
-Regular trips of under ten miles
-Frequent driving in dirt and dusty areas
‘Regular driving conditions’ apply to drivers that get in their vehicle, drive 300 to 400 miles without stopping, on a major highway. As you can tell from this description, not many drivers will fall into the regular driving conditions category.
Of course each and every vehicle is going to run under a different set of rules. Vehicles that drive in more extreme conditions, such as stop and go traffic, frequent short trips or driving in extreme heat or cold, will absolutely want to keep a more frequent oil maintenance plan. Trips that are under ten miles will not allow the engine to get to running temperatures, preventing the oil from doing the same, resulting in the inability to cycle smoothly and correctly. Oil that does not reach proper running temperature will cause for quicker buildup of dirt and sludge.
After consulting your owner’s manual for suggested oil change mileage intervals, you should find yourself a mechanic you can trust. Your best bet will be to contact your local manufacturer dealership. The mechanics there specialize in the make and model of your vehicle and will be able to give you trustworthy feedback as to the current condition of your vehicle and recommend a plan that will keep your engine running longer and in peak condition.
By keeping up with correct maintenance of oil changes, your engine will continue to perform the way it’s supposed to, with power and longevity. You will also dodge those large repair bills that will come about if you do not take care of the motor oil needs of your vehicle. And when in doubt of when you need an oil change, read your owner’s manual and consult a trusted mechanic. If you need an oil change in the greater Boston area contact us at Collision 24 located at 97 Manley St. Brockton, MA 02301.