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Basic Car Maintenance: How Often Should I Get An Oil Change?

by TerriAnn
How often should you get an oil change image

Question :

How Often Should I Get An Oil Change?

Answer :

It’s very common for people to wonder how often they should get an oil change. Once upon a time, it was recommended to change our your oil every 3,000 miles. That is no longer the case (unless you use an oil blend).

Typically, an oil change is needed somewhere between 5,000 to 10,000 miles. With the wide use of 100% synthetic oil, engines can run smoother for longer periods of time. It’s a bit more expensive initially but makes for a better value in the long-run. Some try to hold out to some 20,000 but I wouldn’t chance it as that could seriously damage your engine.

The best thing would be for you to check your car’s owner’s manual. The manufacturer will clearly state how often the oil should be changed. The manual for our 2006 Volkswagen Jetta suggests an oil change every 10,000 miles.

Oil Change Options

You can opt to change the oil yourself or bring it into a shop to do it for you. We just bring our car to a local oil change place (we’re near a Jiffy Lube) since it’s quick and reasonably-priced. Plus, they top off other fluids and check the air filter. Just remember to disregard the reminder sticker as it’ll likely tell you to come in much sooner than you really need to.

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