Ask Your CDJR Dealer: How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

How often do you need an oil change? While we’d all love the answer to be “as infrequently as possible,” the truth is that changing your car’s oil out regularly does a lot to improve your efficiency, protect your engine, and help you get the most out of not only every drive but also your vehicle itself. The right change interval for your vehicle will depend on your specific make and model, so if you need any clarification, come ask your CDJR dealer directly.

Most modern vehicles need their oil changed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, if they are being operated under normal conditions and are using high-quality synthetic oil. If you’re using synthetic oil but put a lot of strain on your engine by towing, driving through off-road conditions, or doing a lot of idling, your interval may be something more like every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If you are using conventional oil or have an older model, you’ll likely need to get the oil changed somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles, depending on your vehicle.

Finding Your Interval

Start by checking your owner’s manual, which will tell you what the right intervals are for your vehicle under ordinary operating conditions. Don’t just assume you know the interval because manufacturers really do make a difference from model to model. You’ll also find out here the ideal type of oil for your car or truck.

Most of the time, for modern vehicles, synthetic oil or at the very least a semisynthetic is the right choice, and the vehicles are designed to run using this type of oil. Older vehicles may not be able to use synthetic oil, and if that’s the case, you can go ahead and use conventional. And yes, conventional oil costs less. But it also requires you to get a change more often, so you’re not really saving anything. Conventional oil also doesn’t do as good a job of protecting the engine, so if you’re driving in extreme temperatures in particular, you’re also experience more wear and tear.

Ask Your CDJR Dealership

Once you know the general intervals for your car, you should get to know the mechanics at your dealership so we can give you specific recommendations based on your unique driving conditions.

To learn more, come see us at Bedford Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Bedford, PA today.

Tags: auto service, CDJR Dealer Bedford PA, oil change
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