How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

 
Keeping up to date with your oil change frequency can help to maintain the health and value of your vehicle. For many years, you may have heard friends and relatives in Gastonia share that an oil change should be conducted every 3,000 miles. While that was once prudent advice, for most Hickory drivers, that would be overdoing it. That is because recent innovations in automotive technology have elongated the recommended oil change frequency to between 7,500 and 10,000 miles.

Since this interval has a fairly wide range, you may still be asking, “how often should you change your oil?” You can consult your owner’s manual for more information, and continue reading with our service team below!

Oil Change Frequency Guidelines

While 7,500-10,000 miles is an accurate range for a typical oil change frequency. This recommendation isn’t true for all. If any of the following apply to you, the answer to the question, “how often should you change your oil,” is more often than most.

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing

How Often Should I Change Synthetic Oil?

If you drive a vehicle that uses synthetic oil, your recommended oil change frequency is likely to be much longer than someone driving a vehicle that runs on conventional oil. Generally, the need for a synthetic oil change can range greatly and is recommended somewhere between 6,000 and 16,000 miles. That 10,000-mile gap accommodates the differing needs between makes, models, and driving styles. For more precise recommendations, you can check your owner’s manual or reach out to our service team.

What Happens When Your Car’s Oil Isn’t Changed?

Fresh, clean oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. Since oil lubricates the moving parts within your car’s engine, it is critically important for avoiding friction and overheating. Oil also works hard to collect debris that you pick up on the Shelby streets and move it to the filter. Over time, your oil and filter will become full of contaminants that reduce your vehicle’s ability to run smoothly. If you neglect your routine oil changes, you will start to notice the following worrying signs:

• Check engine and/or oil change lights are illuminated
• Knocking sound coming from the engine
• Dark and dirty oil
• Smoke emitting from the exhaust pipe
• Engine overheating

More Oil Change Tips

Before you take a trip out to our service center for an oil change, explore the following oil change tips:

• Even cars that remain idle for longer periods of time should have their oil changed at least twice a year. This is because oil breaks down over time even if a car isn’t being driven.
• Make sure you get a fresh filter with every oil change. Our parts department at Renaldo Kia can get you set up with a new one if you’re taking on a DIY oil change.
• Unsure if you need to use synthetic oil or conventional oil? Check the recommended oil type in your owner’s manual for clarification.

How Often Should I Check My Oil Level?

Along with regular oil changes, frequent spot checks of your oil level can go a long way in preventing hazards and detecting leaks in the oil system. Since a lack of fresh oil can be damaging, detecting a leak right away can prevent expensive repairs. Check your oil once a month to safeguard your ride against harmful leaks. If you detect a change in the color of your oil, spot metal contaminants, or you’re running low, schedule service with us for a quick fix.

Visit Renaldo Kia for Routine Oil Changes

Here at Renaldo Kia, we offer friendly service and competitive prices on all of our work. Our location near Forest City means affordable car care is just down the road. Explore our service coupons for added savings, and contact us if you have any questions about your car’s maintenance.