How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Changing your vehicle's engine oil regularly is key to keeping it healthy in the long run. Every vehicle has unique needs, so it's important to know how to take care of yours specifically.

To better serve Marion, Herrin, and Carbondale, IL, drivers, our team at Watermark Ford of Marion has created this guide on engine oil. Below, you will learn about engine oil, why your car needs it, and how to determine if your car is due for an oil replacement.

Why it's Important to Change Your Oil

In vehicles with a traditional combustion engine, the clean oil gets used up as you accumulate miles and run your car. Over time, grime accumulates and the oil becomes sludgy and ineffective. Before this happens, it's important to get an oil change.

Simply put, engine oil keeps your car lubricated. It reduces friction between engine components to keep it running smoothly. Without this oil, your engine can be damaged and corroded.

Not only does it keep gears from grinding against each other, but engine oil absorbs heat from the engine. It also carries away engine residue to keep contaminants off essential mechanical components.

Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change

An illuminated oil change icon on your dashboard is one of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs an oil change. In some cars, this will simply show as an oil can while others inform you of the percentage of oil life remaining.

Determining How Often Your Oil Needs to Be Changed

The simplest way to find out how often your specific vehicle needs an oil change is by checking your make and model's maintenance schedule. This is usually found in your vehicle's owner manual.

Many cars require an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles when running on conventional oil. Most modern vehicles can actually run for 7,000 to 15,000 miles with synthetic oil before needing a change. However, this can vary depending on your driving habits, the type of oil you use, and the age of your vehicle.

For example, if you drive a heavy-duty pickup truck daily and carry or tow thousands of pounds of equipment, you will likely need to change your engine oil more often. Extensive idling and short trips will also wear out your oil faster.

Make Your Next Oil Change Appointment With Us

If you're driving around Marion, Herrin, and Carbondale, Illinois, and your oil change light turns on, our mechanics at Watermark Ford of Marion can resolve it. We'll get it done fast so you can get back on the road. 

Schedule your next oil change service with us!