How Often Should You Get an Oil Change?

How often you should get an oil change depends on your vehicle and driving style, but it’s generally suggested that you change your oil every 7,500–10,000 miles. This is roughly twice per year for the average driver. We definitely don’t recommend going more than one year between oil change services.

Keep in mind, however, that if you do a lot of heavy towing or off-roading, you may require more frequent oil changes to keep everything in top shape.

If you have any questions about your engine oil needs, feel free to contact the team at Tunkhannock Auto Mart, serving the Harveys Lake, Kingston, and Dallas, PA, areas.

You can also keep reading for a brief overview of all the engine oil ins-and-outs.

5 Signs You Need an Oil Change

While we recommend having your oil changed at every 7,500-10,000-mile interval, you can also keep watch for some signs from your vehicle that it’s due for a trip to the service center. The five most common are:

1. Dirty oil
2. Low oil levels
3. Dashboard lights
4. An oil smell or knocking sound
5. Performance issues

You can check on your engine oil health by locating the dipstick under the hood. Pull it out and check the oil. It should be a light amber color. If it’s dark, sludgy, or has particles in it, you’re likely due for an oil change.

You may also notice a yellow light on your dashboard that looks like an oil can dripping liquid. This is an oil pressure monitor. If you see this light, have your vehicle checked by a certified technician as soon as possible to avoid potential engine damage or overheating.

Finally, watch out for strange smells, like an oil smell inside the cabin, or performance issues, like a decrease in fuel economy. These can both signify that you should change your oil as soon as possible.

What does Engine Oil Do?

Engine oil is crucial to your vehicle’s health because it has two very important jobs:

• Lubrication
• Temperature regulation

Your engine is a complex mechanism full of many parts that move past each other rapidly during vehicle operation. Engine oil provides the lubrication that works to prevent these rapidly moving parts from causing excessive friction.

With so many parts moving so quickly—especially in today’s high-powered engines—it’s easy for a lot of heat to build up, too. Luckily, engine oil has a viscous quality that dissipates heat and helps to prevent overheating.

Over time, your oil may collect debris as it moves around your engine. This can cause it to become thick, slow, and all-around less effective at doing its job.

Changing your oil at regular intervals helps to keep your oil clean and prevent costly friction damage or overheating.

Should You Get an Oil Change?

If you’re wondering if you should get an oil change, and how often, feel free to reach out to the team at Tunkhannock Auto Mart. We’re always happy to help drivers around Kingston, Harveys Lake, and Dallas, PA, keep their vehicles in great shape.

Contact us to schedule service today!