How Often Do You Really Need Your Car’s Oil Changed?
Did you know that there might be a variable answer as to how often your car’s oil needs changing? A lot can depend on how you drive, what you do with your car, and other details. So it helps to have an understanding of some of those details and what to watch out for with your car’s oil. Argonaut Garage has more information you can use to narrow down the answer to the oil change question.
There’s a Lot of Info in the Owner’s Manual
Lots of car owners avoid the owner’s manual because it’s not a fun read, but there’s so much information there that helps you to understand what your car needs and why. In terms of oil changes, the owner’s manual gives you details about what type of oil your car needs and how often the oil should be changed. There may also be information about what you need to know in order to recognize problems in between oil changes.
Look at the Oil Between Oil Services
Something else that helps considerably is for you to do some checking on your own in between oil services. By checking your own oil, you start to become familiar with how your car works through engine oil. If you’re noticing that the quantity of oil is changing sooner than you expect, that helps you to notice possible leaks and other issues. You can also be on the lookout for things like especially dirty oil or even metal flakes, which can be a sign of issues.
Track Your Fuel Mileage Numbers
Your car has other ways of letting you know that something isn’t quite right, too. When the engine oil is becoming less effective, you are likely to see a decline in fuel mileage numbers. That’s because the engine is gradually working harder and harder to keep the car moving. If you’re tracking these numbers every time you fill up your tank, you’re going to start to see patterns.
Pay Attention to Habits that Might Affect Engine Oil
There are some other things that you can do to help your car’s engine oil to last longer, too. Watching your own driving habits is one of those things. If you tax your car’s engine by making it work too hard, that’s going to make the engine oil less effective. Engine oil guidelines are recommendations. Keeping up with what your car is telling you helps you to get an accurate picture of when the oil needs changing.Want an even more definitive answer? Argonaut Garage in Berkeley, CA can help. Give us a call today and we’ll assess what’s going on with your car’s engine and help you to get on an oil change schedule that meets your needs.
