How Often To Get Oil Changes

When Should I Get My Oil Changed?

Oil changes! The one basic service all vehicles get from the time they leave the factory to the end of the vehicle’s life. Back in the olden days, all oil companies would advertise getting your oil changed every 3,000 miles with a high-grade of oil. At the time, that was the gold standard. Nowadays, the distance between oil changes has changed.

At Mekaniks Plus in Camarillo, CA, our staff of ASE-certified technicians knows the importance of regular oil changes. It’s a vital part of keeping your vehicle on the road. Getting regular oil changes gives your vehicle increased fuel mileage and improved engine life. Below, we’ll share with you how often you should get an oil change based on your vehicle’s age and type.

New and Pre-Owned Vehicles

Most new vehicles today come as standard with either full synthetic or synthetic blend oil. These oils have low viscosity that minimize friction, and maximize fuel economy. In addition, the regular interval for oil changes is 5,000 miles. Some vehicles with fully synthetic oil can go at least 10,000 miles between oil changes during the first 100,000 miles. Each vehicle will have their own specs on the grade and type of oil. Modern vehicles also come with an oil monitoring unit that counts the mileage between oil changes. The technician will reset the counter after every oil change. This gives you a great reminder of when to schedule an appointment for an oil service.

Older and Classic Vehicles

Once your vehicle reaches a certain threshold, say about 100,000 miles, then the frequency between oil changes will decrease. In many cases, the interval will run between 3 to 5,000 miles. If your vehicle is subjected to adverse driving or weather conditions, then the interval will run closer to the former. Furthermore, high-mileage oil may be used during the oil service, depending on your vehicle’s specs. This oil is designed to give your vehicle’s engine better longevity, and prevent excessive wear.

The main thing to keep in mind when determining to bring your vehicle in for an oil service is the way you drive it. As mentioned above, if you drive in extreme cold or hot conditions, starting and stopping due to traffic, or towing heavy equipment, you will need to get your oil changed at a more frequent rate. If you do more freeway driving with less stops, then your oil can be changed at regular intervals.

Regular oil changes are the lifeblood for any vehicle. Whether 3,000 miles, 5,000, or 10,000, your vehicle will thank you many times over when you keep it lubricated and functioning normally. If you have any questions about oil changes, please feel free to give a call. We look forward to seeing you around the bend real soon.