How Often Do I Need My Oil Changed?

 

Cars cannot run indefinitely on a single quart of oil. By giving your car fresh oil at appropriate intervals, you enable smooth engine operation until the next scheduled change. With this comes the question: how often does your vehicle need a Honda oil change in Van Nuys, CA?

The 3,000-Mile Rule

First, let’s put to rest the 3,000-mile rule. While changing the oil every 3,000 miles was once the golden rule, it no longer applies due to the advancement of automotive engine technology and synthetic motor oils. Unless you drive a car from a pre-2000 model year, you can ignore this outdated rule.

When to Change the Oil

Follow your vehicle’s user manual. Most modern cars average 7,500 to 10,000 miles between changes. We also recommend having a technician perform a quick look at the oil during every general maintenance at the dealership. Here’s why this is important: your car may need more frequent oil changes if you routinely subject it to severe driving conditions.

Severe Driving Conditions Explained

The oil change intervals outlined in the user manual apply to normal driving conditions. This differs drastically from severe driving conditions, which include the following:

• Frequent off-road driving
• Frequent stop-and-go driving
• Frequent short-distance commutes under five miles
• Frequent commutes on city streets instead of the highway or freeway

The driving conditions above more rapidly degrade the oil, allowing impurities to get in and turn it into sludge. If you typically drive short distances on city streets, it helps preserve the oil to take your car on the freeway when traffic is minimal.

Schedule an oil change at Keyes Honda. We perform oil checkups and flushes on all Honda models, including the Honda Civic and more.