How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
If you’re like money drivers, you’re ready to take your vehicle out of your garage and hit the road this summer. With those weekend road trips and scenic drives on the to-do list this summer, it’s important to make sure you keep up with regular oil changes. How often should you be changing your vehicle’s oil? Modern vehicles can usually go anywhere between 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes, but that number can vary depending on what you drive and other factors.
The service center at Beau Townsend Nissan is here to show you everything you need to know about how often to change your oil this summer, as well as other helpful tips. We invite you to explore our guide on everything you need to know about oil changes, so you can get your vehicle ready for summer driving!
Factors That Impact Your Oil Change Frequency
While many new Nissan vehicles can go anywhere from 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes, the frequency can be higher or lower depending on what kind of Nissan you drive. Your recommended oil change frequency will also vary depending on whether you do any of these kinds of driving this summer:
- Off-road driving
- Commercial/business driving
- High-speed racing
- Heavy-duty towing
What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Oil?
What exactly does your Nissan vehicle’s engine oil do? Oil lubricates the many moving parts of your engine and helps it run efficiently while reducing friction. Oil also acts as a cleaning agent by filtering out dirt and debris that can get inside. Over time, your oil can become too dirty and ineffective, which is why it needs to be replaced regularly.
What happens if you don’t change your oil? Here are some consequences that can come from skipping too many oil changes:
- Check engine can turn on
- Knocking sounds from the engine
- Dark and dirty oil
- Smoke from the exhaust pipe
- Overheating engine
What Else Should You Know About Oil Changes?
Hopefully, you have a better idea of how often you should be changing your oil this summer. What else should you know regarding oil changes? Here are some helpful tips we think everyone should know before hitting the road this summer:
- Check your oil at least once a month. Checking your oil once a month gives you an idea of when you should be changing it.
- Change your oil at least twice a year. Oil breaks down even if you don’t drive your vehicle that often. So, you should be changing the oil at least twice a year, even if your car sits in the garage for most of the year.
- Know what kind of oil your vehicle needs. If you don’t know what kind of oil your vehicle requires, check your owner’s manual or reach out to Beau Townsend Nissan.
- Have your oil filter replaced at the same time you have your oil changed. If you prefer to do things yourself, no problem! We make it easy to order the parts you need when you shop from our parts store.
Get Your Oil Changed at Beau Townsend Nissan
Contact us for any questions about how often you should be changing your Nissan vehicle’s oil, or to schedule an oil change at our service center. We’re here to help you get your vehicle ready for a fun summer.