How Often You Should Have Your Oil Changed in Elmhurst, IL

Regular maintenance is one of the most important parts of car ownership. Something as routine as an oil change can affect whether you make it to your destination or if you end up calling a tow truck. While taking care of your car is essential, sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what your vehicle needs. For example, many vehicle owners are confused about how often they should have their oil changed. How regularly should this service be performed? The team at Honda on Grand is here to answer your questions. Check out our tips below for determining when you should bring your car to our service department for an oil change.

What does your owner's manual say?

Your owner’s manual should be your first point of reference for maintenance questions, since no one is more familiar with what your car needs than its manufacturer. The manual will not only let you know how many miles you should drive between oil changes, but it will also detail what type of oil to use and how often to have other services done, such as tire rotation and spark plug replacements.

How often do you drive?

If you drive frequently, you should have no problem hitting the manufacturer-recommended mileage between oil changes within a reasonable period of time. However, if you rarely drive and don’t accumulate mileage quickly, experts still recommend you have your oil changed twice a year. This is because moisture can enter your oil tank and can shorten the life of your engine if it is not burned off through driving. Refer back to your owner’s manual to see if it specifies a period of time to wait between oil changes, and if so, stick with that schedule if you aren’t a frequent driver.

What do our experts recommend?

The accepted belief used to be that an oil change was necessary every 3,000 miles. Today, modern vehicles that take conventional or semi-synthetic oil only need their oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Vehicles that use fully synthetic oil may be able to travel up to 15,000 miles between oil changes. Again, consult your owner’s manual for a definitive answer that’s specific to your vehicle, or make an appointment with our service department and we’ll give you our expert advice.