When Is The Right Time To Get An Oil Change?

Staying on top of your routine maintenance services is a crucial part of car ownership when it comes to keeping your vehicle healthy and in premium condition for years to come. There's a few different parts on your vehicle that you need to get checked out and serviced every year in order to maintain a safe vehicle. One of the most important ones is getting your oil and filter changed. You might ask yourself, how do I know when it's time?

Well, here at Scott Lot Pre-Owned, we want our drivers to always be informed about their vehicle, which is why we've created a guide for when the right time to get your oil changed is.

Why Do I Need To Get My Oil Changed?

In order to understand how often you need your oil changed, it's important to understand why it's necessary. Overtime, your engine will accumulate dust and particles which can make your oil dirty and sludge-like. Getting your older oil removed and replacing it with fresh oil is crucial in order to properly lubricate all the moving parts in your engine.

Maintaining your engine oil results in a longer lifespan for your vehicle, helps prevent major engine and transmission repairs, and even improves your gas mileage.

How Often Do I Need To Get My Oil Changed?

You'll need a new oil change about every 5,000-10,000 miles, which for the average driver, amounts to about once a year. While in the past, the "every 3,000 miles" rule was common, in today's world, vehicle's advanced designs are made to be more resilient.

You'll also want to check your owner's manual for what specific mile mark works best for your car, as it can vary depending on the year it was manufactured, or its engine components.

How Do I Check My Oil Levels?

In between oil changes, you might need to top off your oil, so it's important to check your levels about once a month or so. You can do this by checking your dipstick when your vehicle is off, parked, and on level ground, so you can get a clear reading. Simply pull out your dipstick, wipe it off, re-insert it, and pull it out again to find out if you need a top off.

Check the oil's color as well, if it's dark brown or black, you should be good to go. If you notice it looks light and milky, your coolant is probably leaking into your engine.

Where Can I Get My Oil Changed?

Here at Scott Lot Pre-Owned, we have a state of the art service center filled with highly trained technicians ready to help you with all your service needs. When you come by to get your oil changed, we can also help you with other routine maintenance services like tire rotations and inspections. We'd be happy to answer any questions you might have as well. We're dedicated to keeping your car healthy and out on the streets of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Emmaus, PA.

You can schedule your service appointment right here on our website, or feel free to give us a call!

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