It is a fact that you need your European automobile’s oil changed on a regular basis. It’s fiction that you can go longer than the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. It’s also fiction that the manufacturer’s recommended schedule is the only thing you should use to determine how often your oil needs changing. Confused? You’re not alone, which is why PKW Motorwerks straightens everything out below.
Manufacturer Recommendations
Yes, you should check your owner’s manual to see how often your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends you get the oil changed. You should also check to see what oil weight and type the manufacturer recommends. For example, the manufacturer may recommend conventional or synthetic motor oil for the engine and it will tell the best weight to prevent engine damage and premature wear.
Oil Type
The type of oil you use also plays a role in how often you should have your oil changed. Conventional motor oil breaks down quicker than synthetic motor oil does, so, as a general rule, you should have conventional motor oil changed every 3,000 miles. Synthetic oil can last from 7,500 to 15,000 miles between oil changes; it depends on the first item discussed above: Manufacturer recommendation.
Vehicle Age
People also spread a lot of fiction about oil changes and vehicle age. You might hear that if your car is new, you can go longer between oil changes, and if your car is old, you should get the oil changed more often. Neither is true. Yes, an older vehicle is more easily susceptible to engine damage because the parts have aged but changing your engine oil sooner than necessary isn’t going to change anything.
Driving Habits
Your driving habits can also affect your engine oil life. Have an easy commute on open highways and drive like a saint? You can stick to your manufacturer’s oil change schedule. Drive like a maniac in stop-and-go traffic and love to see how far you can push your car? You’ll probably need oil changes more often. If you are hard on your vehicle’s engine, your engine oil will lose its viscosity sooner.
Driving Conditions
Finally, tough driving conditions can also affect your engine oil lifespan and that’s a fact. As mentioned above, stop-and-go traffic is hard on your engine as is mountain driving. If you haul things regularly or load up your pickup every day, this, too, can reduce oil viscosity. An easy-peasy drive means your engine works normally; a hard drive, such as through steep, mountain roads makes your engine work harder.
Call PKW Motorwerks in Plainfield, IL, today at 630-381-8834 to set up a customized oil change schedule.