How Often Should You Change Your Car’s Engine Oil?
Your car’s engine oil is essential for keeping your engine running smoothly and efficiently. It lubricates the moving parts of your engine, helps to cool it down, and prevents wear and tear. Over time, however, engine oil can become contaminated with dirt, metal shavings, and other particles. This can reduce its ability to protect your engine, and can eventually lead to serious problems.
That’s why it’s important to change your car’s engine oil regularly. But how often should you do it? The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the type of oil you use, the age of your car, and your driving habits.
Factors that affect how often you should change your engine oil
- Type of oil. Conventional oil is the most common type of oil used in cars. It is made from petroleum and does not contain any additives. Conventional oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
- Synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is made from man-made chemicals and contains special additives that help to protect your engine. Synthetic oil can last longer than conventional oil, and should be changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
- Age of your car. Newer cars have more efficient engines that require less oil changes. Older cars, on the other hand, may need oil changes more frequently.
- Driving habits. If you drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic or in dusty or dirty conditions, you may need to change your oil more frequently.
How to check your engine oil
It’s important to check your engine oil regularly, even if you don’t think it’s time for a change. Checking your oil is a simple process that only takes a few minutes.
To check your engine oil:
1. Park your car on a level surface.
2. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle.
3. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick.
4. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the engine and pull it out again.
6. Check the oil level on the dipstick. The oil level should be between the “full” and “add” marks.
If the oil level is low, you need to add more oil. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended type of oil and the amount of oil to add.
Signs that it’s time to change your engine oil
There are a few signs that indicate it’s time to change your engine oil. These signs include:
- Dark or dirty oil
- Low oil level
- Burning smell
- Knocking or ticking noises from the engine
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to change your engine oil as soon as possible.
How to change your engine oil
Changing your engine oil is a relatively simple process that you can do yourself with a few basic tools. To change your engine oil:
1. Gather the following materials:
- New engine oil
- New oil filter
- Oil filter wrench
- Funnel
- Drain pan
2. Park your car on a level surface.
3. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to settle.
4. Open the hood and locate the oil drain plug.
5. Place the drain pan under the oil drain plug.
6. Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the oil drain plug.
7. Allow the oil to drain into the drain pan.
8. Once the oil has drained, replace the oil drain plug.
9. Locate the oil filter and use the oil filter wrench to loosen it.
10. Remove the old oil filter and replace it with the new oil filter.
11. Tighten the oil filter until it is snug.
12. Add new engine oil to the engine through the oil filler cap.
13. Check the oil level on the dipstick and add more oil as needed.
14. Close the hood and start the engine. Run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the new oil.
15. Check for leaks and make sure the oil level is still at the proper level.
Conclusion
Changing your car’s engine oil is an important part of regular maintenance. By following the guidelines in this article, you can help to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently for many years to come.
