We’ve always heard that we should get our oil changed every three months or every 3,000 miles. Some car owners have those figures set in stone and won’t go one day longer than that without getting it changed. But have we been bamboozled with the three months or 3,000 miles oil changes? Depending on the age of your car and where you live, you may get away with waiting even longer. Follow these suggestions to determine if you should be changing your oil according to the old-fashioned requirements.
Read the Owner’s Manual for Your Car
Nowadays, some car manufacturers make vehicles that need the oil changed less often than you may think. Some cars only need it every 10,000 miles while others need an oil change every 5,000 or 7,000 miles.
Consider Your Driving Habits
If you tend to be a rough driver that speeds away from stoplights and slams on the brakes real hard, you probably need your oil changed more often.
Look Towards the Light
Many newer cars have a light that alerts you when the oil needs to be changed. There is a sensor that measures the quality of the oil so you don’t change it unnecessarily. If your car has this light, wait until it comes on before going to your local Jiffy Lube.
Check the Oil Yourself
If you’re not sure if you should change the oil yet, take a look at it yourself. Pull out the dipstick and see if the oil is black or more of a transparent brown. Black oil means you should change it right away, but a transparent brown color means it’s still healthy. Also, watery or “chunky” oil could be a sign of a major problem so get it checked out immediately.