November 16, 2021
How Often Should You Change Engine Oil In A Car? It is said that most cars can travel longer without changing the engine oil. One of the easiest ways to know when to change the car oil is to bring the car to a service centre. Technicians in auto repair shops can easily answer all concerns related to oil changes. In older times, it was necessary to change the car engine’s oil every 5,000 kilometres because oil lost its viscosity in a small amount of time.
Lubricant technology has made great advancements, and combustion engines run more efficiently. When engines are paired with lubricants, it makes the engine run smoother.
Check the maintenance schedule to see when an oil change is due. Additionally, driving style and other factors can indicate an oil change, as well as oil changes that have been done earlier on the maintenance schedule.
Warning Signs For Changing Oil
Various signs could indicate an oil change –
- The noises in the engine turn louder
- A cabin can smell oil both inside and outside
- The warning light for an oil change is on
- The engine oil is dirty
- The engine check light is on
Why Change Engine Oil?
Routinely changing the engine oil may benefit the vehicle and make it more efficient. Engine damage can occur when there is no oil replacement. Clean oil helps improve the car’s performance, reduces noise, and increases its lifespan.
Now, back to the point How Often Should You Change Engine Oil In A Car? Well, it depends on your car. Here is why:
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Oil change intervals (Older cars)
Oil change in older cars is based on mileage; there were two maintenance schedules. One was “cars driven for normal use”, and the other was “cars driven in rough areas or difficult service”. Cars driven in severe conditions could include-
- A short trip
- Different climates, including hot, cold or dusty
- Carrying heavy loads
- Where the car operates for a long time
It is essential to maintain a vehicle on the strictest schedules if it falls under a tough service condition in its owner’s manual. Under normal conditions, a car should not require frequent oil changes or other maintenance.
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Oil change intervals (new cars)
Most of the newer cars come with an oil-life monitoring system that determines when an oil change is needed, and it notifies the user with an alert via the instrument panel. Current designs determine when an oil change is necessary by assessing operating conditions instead of relying on time and mileage.
Newer cars have fewer severe service recommendations since the oil life monitoring system reduces oil change intervals with heavy loads.
During oil changes, the technician has to rebuild the oil-life monitoring system. A person can change the oil themselves by following the owner’s manual instructions. Lesser oil changes on the latest engines make it important to check the oil level monthly and change it when needed.
While many engines will use less than a quarter of oil between changes, other engines could consume as high as a quarter every 500 to 700 miles. When you get the proper oil level maintenance, it can avoid costly repairs; car insurance cannot cover damages due to wear and tear. When you don’t drive your vehicle for several thousand miles, it requires lesser oil changes.
What Does Oil Dashboard Light Mean?
It is advisable to keep track of the distance one drives between oil changes. The new cars make the process easier with a dash indicator that helps indicate the time for an oil change. The dash indicator is a part of the oil life monitoring system. The system keeps track of mileage and uses data from driving assessed by the computer to know the time for changing the oil.
When a car has an oil life monitoring system, the light is different from the light of oil pressure. The oil pressure light illuminates the dash system when car oil is not flowing properly, a failed oil pump or system leakage.
Contact The Best Car Repair Shops
Changing the oil in cars is important, but taking care of other components in the car helps in the long run. Scheduled maintenance and an oil change are necessary for you if you drive your vehicle more often. Several auto services in Perth where technicians perform good car engine repair, and the Auto Repair Shop is a good car repair shop that makes a car undergo various maintenance works.