How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Check the oil in Car Engine

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about oil changes. Some people claim you need to change your oil every 3,000 miles, while others say you can wait longer. In reality, it depends on the vehicle. Get the details to find out how often you should change your oil.

When to Change the Oil for New Cars Under Warranty

If your vehicle is still under warranty, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding oil changes. Failure to do so will void your warranty, and that’s a mistake you don’t want to make. You can find the information you need in the owner’s manual. Your vehicle also might have an oil life monitor to help you meet the warranty’s oil change requirements. The monitor considers various factors, such as driving and idling hours, drive temperatures, and more. Then, it sends an alert when it’s time to change the oil.

Changing the Oil for Cars Without Warranty

If your vehicle has an oil life monitor, continue to use it to determine when to get your oil changed after the warranty expires. Make sure you continue to use the same oil that the manufacturer recommended since the system’s algorithm is based on it.

If you don’t have an oil life monitor, you’ll have to decide when to change the oil. It’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The recommendation depends on the manufacturer, the vehicle, and the oil you use. If you use standard oil, the manufacturer might recommend changing it every 3,000-5,000 miles. However, if you use synthetic oil, you might need to get an oil change every 10,000 or even 15,000 miles.

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Recommendations for Severe Driving

General recommendations are based on standard driving. However, if you engage in “severe driving,” you need to change it more often.

For instance, if you make lots of short trips under five miles, you’ll need more frequent oil changes. If you often drive up to 10 miles in freezing temperatures, you’ll need to shorten the duration between oil changes.

Other examples of extreme driving include the following:

  • Stop-and-go driving in scorching weather
  • Driving slowly for long distances
  • Track driving
  • Driving on gravel or dusty roads

While many factors go into knowing when to get an oil change, Honda makes it easy with the Maintenance Minder. The onboard computer alerts Honda owners when it’s time for an oil change and other maintenance tasks. Head over to Barbour-Hendrick Honda in Greenville, North Carolina, to see this and other features in person. You can also visit the service center to learn more about your existing vehicle’s oil change requirements or to get an oil change. We are here to help, so stop by today!

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