How Often Do I Need An Oil Change?

A frequent oil change is one of the most crucial services for the immediate and long-term health of your vehicle. Failing to get one at the required interval can not only impact your vehicle’s longevity, but ultimately put the safety of you and your passengers at risk.

Half the battle of having your oil changed is knowing when to do so—and having a reliable place to seek out that service. Lucky for you, our service team at C. Harper Chevrolet East is here to help. For drivers throughout the areas of New Alexandria, Monroeville, and Irwin, PA, our service center is equipped to handle your car when an oil change is needed.

To help you learn a bit more about the oil change process and, most importantly, when to have your oil changed, we’ve compiled this guide below. Read on and contact us with any questions!

WHEN TO GET AN OIL CHANGE

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There’s no real concrete answer to the question, “How often do I need an oil change?” The intervals between oil changes typically vary from vehicle to vehicle. Most newer vehicle models, however, are equipped with alert systems to let you know that your oil level is low well before it truly poses a threat to your vehicle’s safety.

Aside from keeping an eye on that, there are several ways to monitor your vehicle’s oil health. One of the more common methods is simply monitoring your mileage over time. Since oil change intervals are typically determined by how far you drive, it’s one of the more effective ways to know when to get an oil change.

Like we said, oil change intervals will always vary, based both on the type of car you drive as well as your personal driving habits. In most places, however, you’ll see several common intervals. Some will say every 3,000 miles is best, while others may put it between 5,000 and 7,500 miles.

At the end of the day, the best way to know the interval for your car is to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If you want to play it safe, an oil change every 6 to 12 months can ensure your car is equipped with clean and healthy oil.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT OIL FOR YOUR CAR

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The next step in having your oil changed is knowing what type of oil your vehicle takes. There are several types of motor oil that may be right for your car, including:

• Synthetic oil
• Synthetic blend oil
• Conventional oil
• High mileage oil

Motor oil can also be designated by its viscosity. Much like the intervals for an oil change, the type of motor oil and the viscosity you should use will depend on a few factors. Depending on the type of climate you live in, your car may require a thinner oil.

Once again, the best way to know exactly what type of oil you should choose for your car is to consult your owner’s manual. Additionally, you can always ask a service technician to recommend the best oil for your car.

OIL CHANGES AT OUR SERVICE CENTER

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So, when the time comes to have your oil changed, where should you go? Well, one option is our service center. With a full staff of factory-trained auto technicians, we can provide any and all vehicle services, whether it be something simple like a regular oil change, or a more extensive repair on your brakes, battery, or transmission.

When you visit our service center, you can package regularly scheduled maintenance like an oil change with some of our other offered services, such as:

• Tire rotation & inspection
• Brake fluid service
• Engine air filter replacement
• Fluid inspection & adjustment
• Full multi-point inspection

However, if you’re just in need of an oil change, you can schedule an appointment ahead over the phone, or with our online form.

If you ever have additional questions about oil changes—or any other of our offered services—feel free to contact our service team!