When to Change Your Motor Oil

Your car’s motor oil is one of its most important fluids. The motor oil is responsible for maintaining a wide variety of the engine’s essential functions. It becomes increasingly dirty with use and must be replaced once it reaches a certain threshold. Oil changes are an important part of maintaining new and used cars alike.

If you’re in the market for a great, well-maintained used car, the Austin car dealerships of Chapman Motor Sales have a great selection of used vehicles. You could visit any of our convenient 11 Austin-area locations or take a moment to browse our combined online inventory.

The 3000 Mile Myth

When the oil is changed too often, it is wasteful. Disposing of oil that is usable has an impact on the environment and on your wallet. When the oil goes unchanged for too long, it cannot serve many of its uses, such as washing contaminants out of the engine and providing lubrication. Waiting too long to change the motor oil is similar to using dirty mop water- counterintuitive.

It’s widely believed that you should change your oil every 3000 miles. While this was a good interval decades ago, advances in oil and engine technologies have rendered the rule obsolete. It is recommended you change your oil based on manufacturer guidelines for your vehicle. If you plan on getting a used car for lots of extended drives with few stops, you will have to change you oil less frequently than if you drive short distances with many stops.

This difference happens because during longer drives, the oil has enough time to thoroughly heat up, unleashing its full potential. Shorter drives do not allow enough time for all of the oil to heat up, causing it to wear down more quickly.

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If you’re in the market for a used car, the Austin used car dealerships of Chapman Motor Sales carry an expansive selection of great used vehicles. Please visit any of our 11 convenient Austin-area locations, or take a few moments to browse our combined online inventory.