Your car’s engine is arguably the most important part of the whole vehicle. Keeping it in good health is crucial if you want to avoid costly repairs and major stress and headaches down the line. Lucky for you, protecting your car’s engine is actually a really easy thing to do! One of the simplest and most effective ways to do so is by keeping up with routine oil changes. Read on to learn all about this crucial – not to mention quick, cheap, and simple – service that can do so much good for the health and well-being of your car.
When Should You Change the Oil?
Check your owner’s manual for the best and most accurate and comprehensive answer to this question. Who knows better than your car’s manufacturer just how often it needs a fresh supply of motor oil? Besides, the frequency of oil changes varies from model to model and depends on a variety of factors. If your vehicle has a service indicator that shows you when to get the oil changed, it’s a safe bet that it’s time to head to your service center for an oil check and change.
How Often Should You Check the Oil Level?
Topping off the oil in your engine between changes can help keep things running smoothly under the hood. It’s a good idea to check the oil level at least once a month. Make sure your car is parked on level ground and use a dipstick to get an accurate reading. If the oil level is lower than it should be, add some. You can also take this time to make sure the color is right – it should be brown or black – and that there are no metal particles visible. Both of these things could indicate a problem and require a trip to your service center.
You might also like: Keep Your Car Healthy With These Maintenance Tips
What Kind of Oil Should You Use?
High-quality motor oil is crucial to the proper functioning of your car’s engine. But what does “high-quality” mean, exactly? Some oil change places will try to sell you on pricier synthetic oil, but that’s not always the way to go. Find out what type of oil the manufacturer recommends and go with that rather than blindly assuming the more expensive the oil, the better. If your car is running well and you are good about keeping up with routine oil changes, you should be fine with the lower-priced conventional stuff. (Let your manufacturer make the final call, however.)
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.