What type of oil should I use?
Let’s start with oil types: The two major players are petroleum-based (or dino), and fully synthetic (or full-syn), like space-age polymers. Dino is for the everyday sort of car, like a 2005 Outback, while fully synthetic is required in performance-oriented vehicles, especially ones with superchargers or turbos. And for that matter, one can substitute full-syn in any vehicle but cannot use dino in a little turbocharged Saab.
How often should I get an oil change?
Now, the frequency for changing your oil depends on how you drive. For example, lot of city driving with frequent stops and short distances will allow the oil to become more contaminated with dirt and moisture, breaking it down and clogging the filter as well. This will shorten the engine’s life, so you should change your oil more frequently than someone who mostly drives longer distances with less stops.
So what oil type should you use and how often should you change it? Automotive Revival’s advice is to follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations as long as your vehicle is under warranty. Be sure to keep records and use the best oil filter that you can get. And after your vehicle’s warranty has expired, 5000 miles between oil changes for fully-synthetic, and 3000-4000 for most others should do the job. Again, this depends on how you drive, so if you have any questions about how often you should come in for an oil change, please ask us and we’d be happy to help you keep your car healthy. And keep using those best filters.
Though some may cry overkill, it is better than ignoring it and ruining your motor. If one is going to overspend on vehicle maintenance, frequent oil changes would be the place to start. And since we also check other fluids and things like tire pressure, it’s just one more chance to be sure that everything on your car is in good working order. Because an ounce of prevention is a lot cheaper than a pound of cure.
Thanks for hearing us out, and if you have any questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 720-331-2776.
Thank You and Happy Motoring!
