HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY OIL?

We all know that oil is the lifeblood of your engine. Oil lubricates our engines, prevents overheating, and minimizes friction. Maintaining fresh oil in your vehicle is the key to longevity. Old oil becomes dirty with debris and other impurities, thickening over time. Knowing old oil can harm your engine over time raises this critical question. How often should you get your oil changed?

The first step is to understand that different driving behaviors and conditions can affect the lifespan of your oil. Long highway drives vs. short city trips—aggressive driving vs. calm slower cruises. Driving on salty, gravel, or dirt roads vs. driving in clean and clear conditions will also affect the quality over time.

Let's get to the direct answer with so many factors to consider. For older vehicles using traditional oil, you should change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. As cars have evolved, oil's evolved, allowing us to go farther between visits. You can drive anywhere between 6,000-10,000 miles with fully synthetic oil! To keep it simple, anywhere from 2-4 oil changes per year, depending on conditions.

It's important to note there can be a lot of variances on when to get an oil change. Even outside the full synthetic vs. blend conversation, each type of vehicle and manufacturer can have different conditions. We urge you to use the owner's manual to find the manufacturer's recommendations on when and how to get service. Your manual will inform you of the type, grade, and how often to change your oil. Even if you drive your car on rare occasions, you should still get an oil change at least once a year. Letting oil sit in the crankcase for over a year will result in your oil losing viscosity and its ability to protect your engine.

Oil doesn't just prevent overheating and lubricates your car. Engine oil optimizes engine performance, prevents corrosion, and helps to remove contaminants. We can't overstate how critical it is to keep fresh oil in your vehicle. Look no further than Ferber's Tire and Auto for some of the best service in Ashland, Virginia!