How Often to Oil Change

Your car is something you care about deeply. You want to make sure it lasts for years and keeps giving you that peak performance you’ve come to expect. You may be wondering how you can attain that goal, and one of the ways you can do that is by having its oil changed whenever the need arises.

If you’re unsure how often you’ll need an oil change, Ira Ford Saco is here to help! Drivers around the areas of Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, ME, will learn all about oil changes—and how often you need them—right here!

So, How Often Will I Need an Oil Change?

There isn’t one concrete answer for all cars, but you should expect to have your car’s oil changed every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. This will depend on a number of factors, including the kind of car you drive, how often you drive, and how far you drive. When an oil change is performed on a newer car, synthetic oil is used, which is chemically altered oil that offers better engine protection.

Synthetic oil is what allows your car to last so many miles between oil changes. Some of the protection benefits it offers include higher viscosity, better lubrication, and engine temperature control, which stops overheating.

If you’re driving an older car that requires conventional oil, your car will need its oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Conventional oil needs to be changed more often because it isn’t enhanced, so it doesn’t protect your engine, as well as synthetic oil, does.

What Are the Benefits of Oil Changes?

You already know that oil changes are designed to protect your engine, which can extend it and your vehicle’s life. But did you know oil changes offer more benefits than just those? Believe it or not, oil changes can maintain or improve gas mileage. This is because your fuel system is tied to your engine, so a happy engine means a happy fuel system.

Not only do oil changes improve fuel efficiency and protect your engine, but they also protect other parts you can find underneath your hood such as your crank shaft and connecting rods. Oil changes also play a small part in keeping your car’s resale value at its highest. The more up to date your car is on its maintenance before you sell it, the more you can get for it.

How Will I Know When I Need an Oil Change?

When your car’s performance starts to dip, or your engine oil light comes on, don’t panic! These are two of many signs that signal all you need is an oil change. Let’s look at a few other notable signs.

• Burning smells: Under no circumstances should your car produce a burning smell. This could signal a number of problems, one of which being that your oil needs to be changed. If you come across this smell, pull over as soon as you can, wait for the car to cool down, and give us a call.
• Visible exhaust: Newer cars aren’t supposed to emit visible exhaust. So, when you see exhaust consistently coming from your car, you’ll need to have its oil changed.
• Louder engine noises: When your oil runs out, or is of bad quality, your engine might start to make louder noises, which means you’ll need an oil change.

A few other signs you can watch out for include your vehicle shaking when it’s idle, ticking sounds when you start the car, and low oil levels. Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, you’ll know immediately when your car needs an oil change!

I Need an Oil Change

You’re in luck! Ira Ford Saco has a state-of-the-art service center with a bevy of skilled technicians who can quickly change your oil and get you back on the roads throughout Saco, Portland, and Scarborough, Maine! Contact us today to set up an appointment.