In the everyday person’s quest to save as much money as possible on auto repairs and maintenance without sacrificing the performance of their vehicle, there exists one myth whose time has come for extinction. What’s the myth? That you will need an oil change every 3,000 miles. As a matter of fact, the business that was propagating the myth has ditched the mantra. Believe it or not, these days you can go a lot longer between oil changes. Almost two-and-a-half times longer, in fact.
7.5K is the New 3K
If you own a late model car, you can officially forgo taking your car into the shop every few months to have your oil changed. Nowadays, due to improved technology in engine manufacture and in the oil that’s used to operate them, you can go anywhere from 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. If you drive an average of 12,000 miles per year, that means you can go as long as a year without having to pay your local mechanic a visit for this kind of routine maintenance. Think about what that’ll do for your bank account.
Is Sticking to a 3,000 Mile Schedule Bad for Your Car?
Absolutely not. But it can be a bit wasteful, not only where time and money are concerned but also environmentally. If you’re getting your oil changed every three months instead of once a year, your car isn’t going to complain – but that just means you’re disposing of your old oil on a far more frequent basis than is ideal where Mother Nature’s concerned.
An Important Note!
To be absolutely sure at what interval your vehicle’s oil should be changed, read the manual and stick to what’s in there. If you don’t have a copy of the original manual that came with your car, look online or contact the manufacturer to order a replacement copy. Going to the extra effort could end up saving you a pretty penny in the long run.
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