How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck on the question, “How often should you change your oil?” know that you’re not alone! It’s one of the most common questions received by the service department here at Hendrick Chevrolet Cary, and we’re more than happy to help clear things up for Raleigh and Apex car owners. The average driver only needs to get an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, which equals out to about once or twice per year. However, certain circumstances could lead to a higher oil change frequency—we’ll cover them in the guide below. Read on to learn more about how often you should change your oil! 

How Do You Find the Right Oil Change Frequency? 

7,500–10,000 miles is a safe rule of thumb when it comes to your oil change frequency, provided that your driving habits are pretty standard, meaning you’re mostly driving on paved, well-managed roads every day. If your driving habits are out of the ordinary, you might need to adhere to a higher oil change frequency. What counts as “out of the ordinary”? The following driving conditions often lead to more oil changes:

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing

More Oil Change Info to Know

• It’s important that you know whether your car requires synthetic or conventional oil. Synthetic oil is safe to use in any type of car, but it’s only required by some cars. Many drivers stick to conventional because it’s cheaper, but the higher cost of synthetic oil comes with better performance.
• Even if your car only sees the road once or twice per week, you should get the oil changed at least twice per year so it stays clean. 
• During every oil change, the oil filter should be replaced too. Changing your oil at home? Our parts center can get you an OEM filter fitted to your vehicle’s specifications. 

Checking the Oil Between Oil Changes 

Should you check your car’s oil between oil changes? Absolutely. How often should you check the oil? At least once a month will be enough to ensure you catch any minor issues before they become major problems. Things to look out for include suspiciously low oil levels, an oil leak, and changes in the texture or color of the oil. 

Schedule An Oil Change in Cary

Searching for trusted oil service near Holly Springs? Look no further than Hendrick Chevrolet Cary! Our certified service experts can complete your oil change in about an hour, and we even offer rotating service specials to help you save. If you’d like to get started today, you can schedule an appointment online or contact us.