At Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith, we know firsthand how important a well-timed Chevy oil change is for maintaining engine health and ultimately extending the life of your car. The standard recommendation for many cars is an oil change every 3,000 to 6,500 miles. Most newer cars are engineered to go a bit longer than this, however. Here are some things to think about when considering the timing of your next oil change:
How You Drive
First off, you should be aware of the manufacturer’s guidelines for oil changes for your specific make and model. When you look this up in your car’s manual, you will probably notice that Chevrolet recommends more frequent oil changes for cars that drive under certain “extreme” conditions. Some of these extreme conditions include recurrent long-distance commutes or travel and rare use of the car (fewer than 10 driving miles a week).
If you drive a lot on wet or salty roads, this could also be considered an extreme condition. Furthermore, if you live in a place with either harsh winters or harsh summers, it can affect the quality of your car’s oil as well as its levels.
Chevy Oil Change Warning Signs
When your car is in need of an oil change, it may tell you with some common signs. If you’ve gone 5,000 or more miles since your last oil change, pop the hood and look at the color of your car’s oil. In most cases, if it’s dark brown or black, you’re overdue for an oil change. If it’s light amber in color, it’s probably not time to get one yet.
If you smell burnt oil while driving, pull over to your nearest Chevrolet service center ASAP. This could either mean you are long overdue for an oil change or that there’s a leak in your engine (a much more serious problem). Oh, and if your car has an oil life indicator light, and it has switched on, this is a pretty obvious sign it is probably time for an oil change.
The Type of Oil Your Car Uses
If your Chevy requires the use of full-synthetic motor oil, you might be able to go up to 15,000 miles between oil changes. This, of course, is not the case for most motor oil options. Be sure to check your car’s owner manual to see what kind of oil it recommends for your make and model.
Oh, and don’t forget to top off your car’s engine oil if possible between oil changes, or feel free to stop by our service center so we can top it off for you!
Oil changes might be one of the simplest things you can do to maintain your car, but they are also one of the most critical! If you know you are overdue for an oil change, schedule one at Orr Chevrolet of Fort Smith Service Center. We pride ourselves on quick, high-quality work and oil changes you can trust. We know what’s best for your Chevy!
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