- October 29, 2018
- Posted by: Perris Auto Repair
- Category: Blog
It used to be that most people knew when their car was due for an oil change, because they could simply go by the standard of getting this service every 3,000 miles or 3 months. But now it’s a little more confusing than that, since the standard has been adjusted. In fact, it seems to be slightly different for each car depending on a few facts. So if you’re curious about when you should get your next oil change in Perris, CA, take a look at the factors to consider.
The Standard for Oil Changes Has Been Updated
Now instead of waiting 3 months or 3,000 miles, you can typically go about every 6 months or 5,000 miles. And in some instances–such as if you have a newer car or don’t drive much–you can wait about 12 months or 7,500 miles. Granted, if your car is old or you drive it a lot, you might want to be more careful about getting frequent oil changes, closer to the old standard of every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
Factor in Your Driving Habits
How you drive is another detail to think about when determining when to get your next oil change in Perris, CA. If you regularly drive in stop-and-go traffic or take mostly short rides–such as less than five miles–you’ll need more frequent oil changes. Also, if you tow anything on your car, you’re putting a bit more wear and tear on it and should get an oil change soon. But if you drive longer distances or mostly drive on the freeway, you can stick to oil changes about every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or 6 to 12 months.
Consider Your Environment
Before you decide how often to get oil changes in Perris, you should think about where you’re mostly driving. If you drive a lot in extreme weather, you might need more frequent oil changes. For example, if you drive in the snow or simply in freezing cold weather, more frequent oil changes would be helpful. Of course, here in Southern California, we don’t have to worry about extremely cold weather, so unless you’re driving your car hard in the middle of summer, you can likely stick to oil changes in Perris about every 7,500 miles or 12 months.
If you’re not sure if your car is ready for an oil change, bring it to a shop in Perris to find out what services it needs and when.