Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Changing Your Car’s Engine Oil

Changing engine oil is an essential car maintenance activity. After all, the life and performance of any car depend on how often the car’s engine oil is changed. Though changing car engine oil is easy, the easy availability of abundant options makes it difficult for car owners to routinely carry out this maintenance activity. Digital pages are flooded with information on what oil should be used in which car and how and when should a car’s engine oil be changed. This overabundance of options often leaves car owners confused.

In this article, we focus on clearing all doubts that people have regarding when should they change their car’s engine oil.

Use the Dipstick to Check If It’s Time to Change the Engine Oil

Keep an eye on your car’s oil level as well as check the clarity of the engine oil. These two things will give you a clear answer to whether or not it’s the right time to change the oil.

Checking the level of engine oil is easy. All cars come with a dipstick to be used for checking the engine oil. You will find this dipstick in your car’s hood. The dipstick will have different indicators for different levels of oil. Take out the dipstick, wipe it clean and put it back in. The reading on the disptick will tell you if your car’s oil needs changing. You can use this same method to check the clarity of the oil. If the oil is dirty, you will be able to see a black or cloudy deposition on the stick.

You Must Change Your Car’s Engine Oil at Least Twice Every Year

Now that we are clear on how to check the quality and quantity of oil, the next important question is how often should you change your engine oil? Most of the new models tell car owners when it is time to change the engine oil. However, if you have an old model, you will find the answer to this question in the owner’s manual. However, stay cautious as most car manufacturers recommend changing the frequency of oil change with the age of the car.

Almost all cars require their engine oil to be changed at least twice every year. Changing the oil twice will If you have an old car and you drive it around a lot, you will have to change the engine oil more frequently. On the other hand, if you don’t drive around all that often, you won’t be required to change your engine oil very often.

Which Oil Should You Go With?

These days, there are many different kinds of oils available in the market. High mileage oils, high-performance oils, synthetic oils and regular engine oil are some of the popular choices available in the market. Your choice of engine oil should depend on the age of your car and how frequently you drive your car.

More important than selecting the right kind of oil is selecting the right weight of oil. How much oil goes into your car, you will easily be able to find this information on your car’s owner’s manual. If you go to a mechanic to get your car’s oil changed, make sure to tell the mechanic all important details, including how often and how much do you drive your car. That apart, while you are at the shop, also ask your mechanic to change your car’s oil filter as well as the air filter.

Key Takeaway

If you own a car, you must make it a point to regularly check the engine oil of your car as this simple routine task will increase the life and performance of your car.

Time to Visit Your Fraser, MI Auto Repair Shop?

To learn more about changing your engine oil, or to stop in for a diagnostic visit today or give us a call at (586) 285-4444!  We would be happy to answer any auto-related questions you may have.  We are located at :

Car Guys Auto Center
32639 Groesbeck Hwy
Fraser, MI 48026

We hope to hear from you soon!