There are many different beliefs about when is the best time to change your vehicle's oil. The system everyone probably knows (and many people still go by) is to change your motor oil every 3 months or every 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, with the advances in oil technology, especially in the last decade, that is not so true anymore.
Check Your Owner's Manual.
The best place to find out how often you should change your oil is your vehicle's owner's manual. This should tell you what weight and viscosity goes best in your truck or car, and it should tell you how often that oil should be changed. Sometimes the manufacturers will even have an ideal oil that they believe would go best in your car, but typically as long as you use the right weight and viscosity, the brand really does not matter. If you do not have your owner's manual, most oil change centers including Wensel's Service Centers have access to your manual online.
Most people would probably be shocked to know that they are actually performing an oil change on their vehicle much too often. Many modern cars in particular can go between 8,000 and 10,000 miles before needing an oil change, and some are capable of going 15,000 miles. Also with modern cars, it is usually best to trust the oil life monitors. Many are so advanced that they not only monitor your oil, but how your driving affects other parts of the engine to determine the oil's life expectancy.
Don't Forget to Top Off Your Oil.
The problem some people are facing with modern cars is forgetting to top their oil off periodically. Even though the oil does not need changing as often, you should still check under the hood at least once a month (although new suggestions are at least once a week) to see if oil levels are running low. If the oil level in the engine gets too low engine temperatures will raise. If this continues for too long, it could cause the engine to seize up, and there is no coming back from that kind of damage.
Weekend and Low Mile Drivers
If you only use your vehicle on the weekend or do put very many miles on it often, going by the manufacturer's guide or even the oil monitor is not your best option. As oil sits, it degrades from gas contamination. For this reaason, many manufacturers have a backup plan that does involve a set amount of miles or time. For example, a 2010 Toyota Prius recommends 10,000 miles or a year, whichever comes first. It is good to remember these two numbers if your car does not see much road.
Normal vs Severe Driving
Your driving has an effect on your engine wear, and your oil has remnants of that wear. If you are unsure how your driving is impacting how often you should get an oil change, get an oil analysis. This could help you determine how often you should go in between an oil change service.
All Wensel's Service Centers perform full-service oil changes. When you bring your vehicle to any of the four Wensel Garage locations your will get much more than an oil change. A Wensel technician will check all of your fluids and if any are low, he will find out why that is. He will also check for other warning signs while performing your oil change including being on the lookout for a worn serpentine belt and corroded battery cables. When you bring your car in for an oil change, you get a complete visual inspection so you can avoid any serious damage happening to your vehicle.
Wensel's Automotive provides auto care service and regular maintenance including oil changes to all surrounding eastern Pennsylvania locations. For the best service area to visit in your area see below:
- Wensel's of Reading: Shillington, Sinking Spring, Denver, Ephrata, Fleetwood, Exeter, Birdsboro, Reiffton, Robesonia, Womelsdorf, Boyertown, Oley, and Parkesburg.
- Wensel's of Hamburg: Bethel, Pottsville, Cressona, Schuylkill Haven, Shoemakersville, Kutztown, Beinigsville, and Allentown.
- Wensel's of Spring City: Pottstown, Royersford, Collegeville, Phoenixville, Norristown, King of Prussia, Bridgeport, Conshohocken, Berwyn, and Morgantown.
- Wensel's of West Chester: Downingtown, Thorndale, Exton, Malvern, Paoli, Aston, Concordville, Kennett Square, Toughkenamon, and Coatesville.
