One of the most important routine vehicle servicing jobs for any car owner is having the oil changed. If you allow your motor oil to age, diminish, or degrade, the resulting friction could cause overheating that may significantly damage your car’s engine. If you’re wondering how often to have your motor oil refreshed, here’s a brief guide to follow. If you have more questions, you can also contact us at Allways Atascosa CDJR for all your car care needs.
Twice a Year Is a Good Rule of Thumb
Most drivers can keep their engines perfectly healthy with biannual oil servicing every six months or so. If the engine isn’t being taxed by excessive use, severe climate conditions, or extreme driving habits, then this interval should be fine.
It’s generally unwise to allow more than 7,500 or 10,000 miles to pass before refreshing motor oil. After this, motor oil can begin to break down and lose its lubricating and cleaning qualities.
Check Your Warranty and Owner’s Manual
Your powertrain warranty typically stipulates a certain interval at which the oil needs to be refreshed. To keep the warranty valid, stick to this recommendation and keep your paperwork to prove your service was addressed at your local dealership.
Driving Conditions That Wear Oil Down Faster
There are several driving conditions and habits that cause motor oil to degrade more rapidly. If the following apply to you, schedule more frequent oil servicing. In some modern cars, the automatic oil-life monitoring system may help to determine whether your regular driving conditions count as severe.
Frequent Short Trips
The problem with very short trips in a car is that the motor oil doesn’t have time to fully warm up. So, if you’re always using your car for short trips of under five miles (or under ten miles during winter), your engine and motor oil are undergoing far more wear and tear than usual.
Low Speeds for Long Distances
Long drivers at low speeds also put excessive pressure on the engine. It’s best for a car to reach certain speeds when traveling further distances.
Heavy Stop-and-Go Driving
Stop-and-go traffic requires a great deal of idling, which takes a toll on your engine. If your daily commute involves sitting in a lot of traffic jams, consider more frequent oil servicing.
Dirty, Sandy, or Dusty Roads
Any rough road surface that throws up a good deal of dust, dirt, or sand can also degrade motor oil more quickly. This, typically caused by off-roading, is one of the toughest conditions for motor oil to handle.
Extremely Hot or Cold Climates
Both excessive heat and cold can lead to motor oil wearing down faster. If you’re living in a place with either too much sun or snow, keep a closer eye on the condition of your oil.
Schedule Routine Oil Servicing at Your Chrysler Dealer
If you set up a suitable scheduled routine for refreshing your oil at your nearest dealership, you’ll gain reliable reminders for each upcoming visit. The technicians can also take your regular driving conditions and habits into account when planning the optimal interval between visits.
Have your oil checked and changed by experienced technicians today at Allways Atascosa CDJR. We have been proudly serving our local Texas community with top-notch vehicles, deals, financing, maintenance, and repairs for over 20 years.
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