How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

How often should you change your oil? It’s a common question that is often debated among auto industry experts, which can cause some confusion for North Charleston and Mount Pleasant car owners. Thankfully, the service pros at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet are here to clear things up! Most newer vehicles can follow an oil change frequency of 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Of course, you should cross-reference your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends for your particular model, as well. Keep reading to learn more about oil change frequency with us!

How to Determine Your Car’s Oil Change Frequency

7,500 to 10,000 miles is a good baseline interval for the average James Island driver. However, if your daily commute has you racking up a lot of miles each week or if you frequently use your vehicle for any of the following activities, you might need to abide by a higher oil change frequency:

• Driving on unpaved surfaces (off-roading, construction sites, etc.)
• High-mileage commuting
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Frequent or heavy-duty towing

Additional Oil Service Tips

• Do you know if your car takes conventional oil or synthetic oil? If not, you can find this information in the owner’s manual. Synthetic oil costs a bit more, but it’s a decent trade-off because it doesn’t need to be changed as often as conventional oil.
• Even if you rarely drive your car, you should have its oil changed at least twice per year. This will help prevent the oil from breaking down over time.
• Every scheduled oil change should also include an oil filter change. If you’re changing your oil at home, you can find the proper oil filter for Chevrolet models at the Rick Hendrick Chevrolet parts department.

When to Check the Oil Level

Keep tabs on the overall condition of your oil by checking the oil level once per month. If you just had an oil change but the oil level is already low, there could be an oil leak that needs to be fixed. If the appearance of the oil looks a little off or you notice an odor, there could also be underlying issues that need to be addressed. Checking the oil once per month will help you catch these occurrences before they become major problems.

Schedule an Appointment Online Today

Now that you know how often you should change your oil, you can be sure you never miss an appointment. If your vehicle is due in for service, schedule online with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet. We offer ongoing service specials to keep your maintenance budget-friendly! And, you can find even more helpful tips in our service information hub.