Do I Need an Oil Change?
As you cruise around the Nacogdoches and Lufkin, Texas, areas, your engine will pick up dust, dirt, and grime. Fortunately, your motor oil will collect it and prevent it from reaching precious moving parts. Eventually, though, you’ll need to replace that oil.
To help you figure out when you’ll need an oil change, the Tipton Ford staff has compiled the information below. Read on to learn about more oil changes for your car.
Why You Need an Oil Change
While every piece in your car has a purpose, motor oil has a particular significance. Clean, fresh motor oil:
- Provides lubrication between all the moving parts under the hood that would otherwise grind together.
- Keeps the engine temperature down and prevents overheating.
- Removes debris, dirt, and sludge from engine components that can cause corrosion.
All in all, motor oil is necessary for a healthy and functioning engine. Without clean oil, your engine will have a hard time performing at its peak.
How Often To Change Your Oil
The length of time or number of miles you can drive before changing out your oil is variable. That’s because your driving style, the demands placed on your vehicle, and environmental conditions all affect how frequently you’ll need to change your oil.
For example, if you’re hauling and towing heavy cargo every day, you’ll need to change your oil sooner as you’re placing more pressure on the engine more often.
The general rule is to replace your oil every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. However, most modern vehicles have an oil-life monitoring system that adjusts the interval based on your vehicle usage. Then, it will notify you when you need to make an appointment for an oil change.
What if you haven’t driven your car in a while? Your vehicle will still need an oil change, even if you drive it sparingly. The same is true if your car has been sitting in your garage for a year.
You need to change your oil approximately every six months. That’s because oil degrades and expires even if you’re not using it.
Signs That It’s Time for an Oil Change
There are some obvious and not-so-obvious signs that your vehicle needs an oil change. A clear indicator that it’s time for a change is when you notice dark brown oil on the dipstick.
This signals that your oil is dirty and needs refreshing. New, clean oil is a light brown color with no irregularities or texture.
Even if you don’t normally check your oil level, you might still notice other signs like:
- Ticking or knocking noises in the engine
- Car shaking while idling
- Sluggish acceleration
- Reduced mileage
The most obvious sign that you need an oil change, though, is receiving an oil change message from your vehicle or seeing the oil can symbol illuminate on your dashboard.
Schedule Your Next Oil Change Today
Has your engine been a little sluggish lately, or has the oil change message popped up on your dashboard? The service team at Tipton Ford is happy to provide Nacogdoches and Lufkin, TX, drivers with oil changes whenever they need them.
| Monday | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Thursday | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Friday | 8:00AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 9:00AM - 3:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:30AM - 5:30PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30AM - 5:30PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30AM - 5:30PM |
| Thursday | 7:30AM - 5:30PM |
| Friday | 7:30AM - 5:30PM |
| Saturday | 7:00AM - 3:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Thursday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Friday | 7:30AM - 6:00PM |
| Saturday | 7:30AM - 3:00PM |
| Sunday | Closed |