How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

If fuel is the food for your internal combustion engine, oil is the blood that keeps the muscles of your car, truck, or SUV moving. Just like your blood rejuvenates itself, oil changes are vital to your vehicle’s health and longevity. Over the last decade, automakers have engineered some remarkable improvements in technology and fully synthetic motor oils that help Kansas City drivers to go much longer between oil changes than before. 

Most new vehicles, especially luxury ones like what you’ll find on our Merriam lot, have an oil change frequency between 7,500 and 10,000 miles. Still, you should always check your owner’s manual or oil life monitoring system (OLMS) for specifics regarding your exact make and model.

Read on to learn more, and if you have questions, contact the team at Aristocrat Motors.

Recommended Oil Change Frequency

Some vehicles have a higher oil change frequency than others. However, the general rule of thumb is to get an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Your onboard OLMS will tell you when it’s time to change your vehicle’s oil based on the driving conditions around Overland Park or Leavenworth. You should never go more than one year without getting an oil change.

Be aware of what conditions you drive your vehicle in. If you’re driving in less-than-ideal conditions for your vehicle’s engine, you could need to change the oil more frequently.

If you encounter these things with your vehicle, you’ll need to bring it in more frequently for oil changes:

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing
• Dirty and dusty conditions

Oil Change Frequency Information

Ready for some oil change tips? If so, keep reading! If you still have questions about auto care, oil changes, and vehicle maintenance, contact our service center or give us a call at 913-203-1147. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your car!

• Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle needs synthetic or conventional oil. Synthetic oil costs more per oil change but lasts longer. You’ll have less frequent oil changes with synthetic oil, and it helps your vehicle’s engine stay in top condition for many years. Most new vehicles require synthetic oil. You will actually save money over the course of vehicle ownership when you go for a synthetic oil change.
• Oil eventually breaks down, even when the car isn’t driven very much. If you don’t drive often, you should still change your oil at least once per year.
• Make sure you change your oil filter whenever you change your oil. Our parts center can assist you in getting the right oil filter for your specific make and model. Better yet, bring your vehicle into our service center for an oil change! We’ll have it done for you quickly and easily!

How Often Should You Check Your Oil Level?

Check your oil level at least once a month to avoid any problems. Over time, your oil will change from a translucent amber color to an opaque dark brown hue. It will also get thinner and more easily drip off of your dipstick.

If you see that you’re low on oil or need auto service, schedule service with us at Aristocrat Motors. We want you to get the most out of your car, truck, or SUV!

Get Your Next Oil Change in Merriam With Aristocrat Motors

Now that you know how often you should change your oil, bring your vehicle in for an oil change in Merriam. Our service team does so much more than change your oil. We can take care of tires, brakes, batteries, and just about anything else! Look over our service specials to see how much money you could save on regular car maintenance!