Routine oil changes are far more important than most drivers think. You might not put a whole lot of stock into these services if you don't do a lot of driving. In reality, however, the opposite tends to be true. Cars that are not driven a whole lot need oil changes more frequently. When driving short distances with lots of rest, your engine heats and cools and moisture starts to accumulate in the oil cap. This will eventually result in a build-up of sludge that could cause issues within the engine.
It is generally best to have the oil changed once every three months or 3500 miles, but if you do not reach this mileage quickly, then make sure to have the oil changed a lot sooner. Your mechanic will recommend that you refer to the owner's manual to see what type of schedule for oil changes have been suggested for your vehicle.
However, taking your car in to an auto service shop for regular oil changes provides additional benefits. Most importantly, it gives a qualified technician the opportunity to check under the hood and make sure everything is in good working order.
Belts that are frayed and cracked, leaking fluids and hoses that are bulging should be addressed before more severe problems occur. It is also possible for your mechanic to check for lights that have burned out, worn tires, worn wiper blades, and any other safety hazards that might be overlooked otherwise.
Oil changes allow mechanics to check the undercarriage of your vehicle, an area that is often overlooked. Problems with CV boots, exhaust parts, or the differential or transmission can be easily spotted. Should they find that something is loose, broken or has endured excessive wear and tear, they can make arrangements to repair your automobile and avoid small problems from becoming bigger, more costly ones.
One easy way to benchmark the needs of your vehicle is by having the oil changed regularly. You can track how often fluids have to be replaced in order to find out if you have any leaks. This is also a great way to set a schedule for things like tire rotation, while changing your oil and remaining current with all other maintenance requirements.
It is generally best to have the oil changed once every three months or 3500 miles, but if you do not reach this mileage quickly, then make sure to have the oil changed a lot sooner. Your mechanic will recommend that you refer to the owner's manual to see what type of schedule for oil changes have been suggested for your vehicle.
However, taking your car in to an auto service shop for regular oil changes provides additional benefits. Most importantly, it gives a qualified technician the opportunity to check under the hood and make sure everything is in good working order.
Belts that are frayed and cracked, leaking fluids and hoses that are bulging should be addressed before more severe problems occur. It is also possible for your mechanic to check for lights that have burned out, worn tires, worn wiper blades, and any other safety hazards that might be overlooked otherwise.
Oil changes allow mechanics to check the undercarriage of your vehicle, an area that is often overlooked. Problems with CV boots, exhaust parts, or the differential or transmission can be easily spotted. Should they find that something is loose, broken or has endured excessive wear and tear, they can make arrangements to repair your automobile and avoid small problems from becoming bigger, more costly ones.
One easy way to benchmark the needs of your vehicle is by having the oil changed regularly. You can track how often fluids have to be replaced in order to find out if you have any leaks. This is also a great way to set a schedule for things like tire rotation, while changing your oil and remaining current with all other maintenance requirements.
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