How Often Should You Change Your Oil

An oil change is a simple preventative maintenance measure all drivers must take care of. But how often, exactly should you be changing the oil in your car? It’s a question that might not have a clear, simple answer, but the team at World Ford Pensacola has compiled this article to help you decide when it may be a good time to change the oil.

In general, if your car takes conventional oil, it should be changed every 5,000 miles or so. For synthetic oil, that number increases to 10,000 miles. This general guideline is useful, but there are always a few things you must take into consideration when it comes to changing the oil. We’re here to help ensure your car is safe to travel the roads of Pensacola, Crestview and Fort Walton Beach.

Use The Owner’s Manual

Your owner’s manual should be your friend! The maintenance section of the manual has valuable information about everything under the sun but checking it for oil change information is particularly valuable. The owner’s manual should provide oil change frequency information and is typically based on how the car is driven.

If you do a lot of stop and go driving or are hauling heavy equipment often, it may have a severe rating and need an oil change more often. However, if most of your driving is done on the highway and you’re often sailing down the road without interruption, there might not be a need for frequent oil changes.

Watch Oil Monitoring Technology

Many vehicles these days come equipped with an oil monitoring system. These systems have sensors throughout the drivetrain which track the engine, temperature and drive time. The data is then run through an algorithm, which predicts when the oil needs to be changed. The maintenance light will kick on with plenty of time to get your car serviced.

These systems can detect when driving conditions change. Driving stop-and-go on city streets might mean an earlier oil change compared to cars often on the highway. This customized advice takes a lot of the guesswork out of things and doesn’t require you to have the mindset of every 5,000 miles between every single oil change.

Taking Care of Your Engine

There are some things you can do on your own to keep an eye on the engine. If your vehicle has a dipstick, take it out, wipe it off, put it back in, then take another look at it. If the oil is an amber shade, it’s likely your oil is fine. If it’s thick and dark, it may be time to change the oil.

Loud engine noises are another sign that an oil change might be needed. Clean oil keeps the engine quiet and running efficiently. However, the engine can become louder if the oil needs to be changed. This is due to a lack of lubrication as aging oil thickens. If you’ve noticed louder engine noises or even an oil smell in the cabin, it’s best to bring the car to a local service center.

Get Your Oil Change Today

Clean oil keeps your car healthy in so many ways. Everyone’s car is different, but the service technicians at World Ford Pensacola will make sure you know how often the oil in your car should be changed.

Fresh oil provides stronger performance and ensures maximum fuel efficiency as you travel Pensacola, Crestview and Fort Walton Beach. Schedule your oil change today to take on the roads after your oil change and feel good about your car’s performance!