Driving Style Affects Oil Change Intervals!
The interval between oil changes relies on various factors, but one of the main factors to consider is driving style. In a survey conducted by AAA, it was found that more than 50% of all motorists follow the wrong oil change schedule because they assume they typically drive in "normal" conditions.
Your Auto Mechanic may have recommended a schedule as to when an oil change service is needed for your vehicle. How do you know if it is correct? You can make an informed decision by understanding the factors that affect the cleanliness of oil.
Are you really "normal?"
Of course, your vehicle owner's manual is the first place you should check as a reliable source for the answer. Most vehicle manufacturers will show two sets of maintenance schedules, one for "normal" driving and one for "severe" driving.
- "Normal" Driving – For "normal" driving, your owner's manual will probably recommend an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This is based on ideal driving conditions – driving short distances, never over the speed limit, level roads, no load, etc. The average driver would have a hard time staying within the range of these ideal driving conditions.
- "Severe" Driving – For "severe" driving, your owner's manual will typically recommend an oil changing (including a filter) about every 3,000 miles. The average driver, more often than not, falls within this category—frequent short trips, driving in hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, transporting items on a roof-top carrier, towing a trailer, and going over mountainous passes. We can then conclude that most drivers would be better off using the "severe" car maintenance schedule. It is for this reason that many auto shops offer oil change coupons to make this service more affordable on a frequent basis.
If you don't drive many miles at all, of course you can more than likely follow the "normal" driving conditions with longer periods in between oil changes. However, to protect the performance and longevity of a vehicle, a wise driver will err on the side of caution and follow a regular oil change schedule of about every 3,000 miles.
Looking for affordable and quality oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive by calling (308) 381-2295 or go on-line at https://www.garysautoinc.com/ for more information. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE
The interval between oil changes relies on various factors, but one of the main factors to consider is driving style. In a survey conducted by AAA, it was found that more than 50% of all motorists follow the wrong oil change schedule because they assume they typically drive in "normal" conditions.
Your Auto Mechanic may have recommended a schedule as to when an oil change service is needed for your vehicle. How do you know if it is correct? You can make an informed decision by understanding the factors that affect the cleanliness of oil.
Are you really "normal?"
Of course, your vehicle owner's manual is the first place you should check as a reliable source for the answer. Most vehicle manufacturers will show two sets of maintenance schedules, one for "normal" driving and one for "severe" driving.
- "Normal" Driving – For "normal" driving, your owner's manual will probably recommend an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This is based on ideal driving conditions – driving short distances, never over the speed limit, level roads, no load, etc. The average driver would have a hard time staying within the range of these ideal driving conditions.
- "Severe" Driving – For "severe" driving, your owner's manual will typically recommend an oil changing (including a filter) about every 3,000 miles. The average driver, more often than not, falls within this category—frequent short trips, driving in hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, transporting items on a roof-top carrier, towing a trailer, and going over mountainous passes. We can then conclude that most drivers would be better off using the "severe" car maintenance schedule. It is for this reason that many auto shops offer oil change coupons to make this service more affordable on a frequent basis.
If you don't drive many miles at all, of course you can more than likely follow the "normal" driving conditions with longer periods in between oil changes. However, to protect the performance and longevity of a vehicle, a wise driver will err on the side of caution and follow a regular oil change schedule of about every 3,000 miles.
Looking for affordable and quality oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive by calling (308) 381-2295 or go on-line at https://www.garysautoinc.com/ for more information. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE
