How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

One thing all Thomasville, GA drivers can agree on is that they would like for their trusted daily commuter to run at peak performance for many years to come. To achieve this, it’s critical that you keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance tasks, like regular tire rotations and oil changes. With that said, you may be wondering, how often should you change your oil? Experts used to recommend a change every 3,000 miles, but thanks to advances in oil and engine technology, most modern vehicles are capable of going 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil service.

Consult your owner’s manual for a model-specific recommendation, and learn more about oil change frequency with Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC below!

Oil Change Frequency Guidelines

7,500 to 10,000 miles is a good general guideline to follow, but some vehicles do need an oil change more frequently. If you regularly participate in any of the following activities, you’ll want to contact our Buick service center and GMC service center to find out how often you should get an oil change:

• Commercial use
• Long-distance low-speed driving
• Off-road excursions
• Heavy-duty towing
• Track driving
• Lots of stop-and-go driving in extremely hot temperatures

More Oil Change Tips

Before visiting our service center near Crawfordville for your next oil change, take a look at these additional oil change facts:

• How often should you get an oil change if you don’t drive often? Even if your car sits in your garage most of the time, you should still have an oil change at least once per year, as oil breaks down over time when a vehicle isn’t being driven.
• Equally important as knowing how often to change oil is knowing when to change an oil filter. Your oil filter should be replaced at every oil change appointment. If you’re performing a DIY service at home in Panama City, you can find the proper oil filter for your vehicle at the Dale Earnhardt Jr Buick GMC parts department.
• Separate from the oil filter, you should also replace your engine air filter on a regular basis to prevent contaminants in the air from reaching your engine.
• If you’re unsure whether your vehicle takes synthetic or conventional oil, you should consult your owner’s manual. While synthetic oil is more expensive, some vehicles do require it.
• Speaking of synthetic oil — how often should you change your oil if you use synthetic? Most synthetic motor oils can last 7,500 – 15,000 miles, which is a great perk for those who want to head down the service lane less frequently. The ability for synthetic oil to last longer also offsets its higher cost.

How Often Should I Check My Oil Level?

In between oil changes, you should check your oil level once a month to help catch any leaks that have formed – after all, your car can incur serious damage without enough oil. While you’re at it, make sure to also note any change in the oil’s color or the appearance of small metallic particles. Both can be signs of a more serious issue at bay, signaling that it’s time to schedule an appointment at a local service center.

Get Your Next Oil Change at Our GMC and Buick Dealership Service Center!

If you have any lingering questions about oil change frequency, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can also answer other service-related questions and provide tips like how to check your transmission fluid. Before your next GMC service or Buick service appointment, be sure to check out our latest selection of service coupons, where you’ll find competitive oil change prices, tire rotation prices, and much more.