Here at Kernersville Auto Center, we provide top-quality vehicle maintenance for all makes and models. One important step to keep your car in peak working condition is scheduling an oil change. But how often should you change your oil for the best results? And does your vehicle really need an oil change? You have questions: we have answers!

How Often Should You Change Your Oil – The Truth about the 3,000 Mile Rule

Preventative maintenance is key to keeping your car on the road. We always recommend changing your oil as often as the manufacturer recommends it. At one time, this meant changing your oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. However, this may not be what your vehicle actually needs.

Today’s high-quality oils, like we use here at Kernersville Auto Center, can often last lhonger than 3,000 miles or 3 months. At the same time, depending on how you drive your car, you may need to change your oil more often. So, how often should you change your oil for optimal performance? It depends on several factors:

• If you don’t drive your car often or don’t go on longer trips, you probably need to change more frequently. In this case, you should change your oil every 3-6 months, even if you don’t hit 3,000 miles.
• Do you have an older car? If so, it probably needs a motor oil change more often. Again, it depends on specific driving habits. However, you should plan to adhere to the 3,000 mile rule or even change more frequently.
• If you are using synthetic oil in a new-model car, you may be able to change less frequently. In this case, some cars can go 5,000 – 7,000 miles between oil changes.

There is no one hard and fast rule for every driver. This article from How Stuff Works has more details about the frequency of oil changes. However, we recommend simply bringing in your car and speaking to one of our team members. Our licensed professionals can give you advice specific to your make/model, car age, and driving habits. If you want to do what’s in the best interest of your car, always get personalized advice from a professional.

Using High-Quality Products

One of the best ways to get more drive time between oil changes is to use high-quality products. At Kernersville Auto Center, we use Havoline motor oil because we believe they make the best engine products. It’s what we use in our own cars and what we recommend to friends and family!

The specific type of oil you should use depends on your vehicle. Oil is classified based on viscosity, which allows the liquid to flow. Both multi-grade traditional and synthetic oil changes viscosity based on temperature. In most cases, manufacturers recommend a 5W-30 or 5W-20 oil. Since they perform well at the range of temperatures, they work great for drivers in North Carolina. We carry both synthetic oil and regular oil, and we will recommend the best option for your car’s engine and budget. You can sign up for our loyalty program here to earn points on every motor oil change.

When we change your oil, we will also change your filter. Additionally, we will do a courtesy check of your blinkers, check engine light, other fluids to ensure nothing is amiss. Contact us today to make an appointment for your next oil change.