One of the best ways to get great value from any vehicle is to maintain it carefully with regular tune ups and oil changes. Though many know that it’s recommended to change your oil every 10,000 miles, few realize how critically important that practice is to the longevity of a vehicle. Motor oil performs many functions in a car including helping the engine to start easily, lubricating engine parts, reducing friction, protecting against rust and corrosion, keeping the engine clean, minimizing deposits in the combustion chamber, and cooling the engine. If even one of those functions is not performed well or at all, it could mean costly repairs and diminished life span for a vehicle. In this article, we’ll review some of the most important things to know about changing your oil.

How Often Should I Get an Oil Change?

Your best bet is to follow your manufacturer’s recommendations, since they were developed specifically for your vehicle following extensive engine testing. Most recommendations range from every 5,000 to 20,000 miles, saving at least two oil changes a year. More frequent changes won’t hurt your car, but they could hurt your wallet. Use your dipstick, a tool used to measure the quantity of liquid in a space that you can’t see, to check how much oil you have about once a month. If it’s only at the “add” level or if the oil leaves a dirty smudge on your fingers when you rub it, it’s time for a change .

Where Can I Get the Best Oil Change for My Car?

It doesn’t really matter if you get it done at a shop or do it yourself, as long as you know how to change your oil. The real key to getting the best oil change for my car is to use the right quality oil for your vehicle.

Choosing the Right Oil

Check your owner’s manual for instructions on the type of motor oil that is right for your vehicle. Motor oil types vary according to viscosity and additives. Oil additives help keep the engine cool, clean, and free of corrosion, and viscosity refers to the ease with which the oil flows. I should look for oil that meets the recommendations of my vehicle’s manufacturer to get the best oil change for my car.

Motor Oil Standards

You’ll also notice starburst and donut symbols on some motor oil bottles. Those symbols indicate that the oil has met the standards set by the American Petroleum Institute. API certified oil provides the best oil change for my car, as it’s been tested and proven to meet current engine protection ad fuel economy requirements.

Re refined Oil

Every year, the world’s vehicles produce almost 4 billion gallons of used motor oil. The used oil from only one oil change could ruin a million gallons of freshwater, and yet many companies choose not to recycle it instead of dispose of it. Since motor oil doesn’t wear out, but just gets dirty, recycling it saves a valuable resource and protects the environment. Re refined oil can also be certified by the API and is generally equal in both quality and price to virgin oil. Though the best oil change for my car doesn’t rely on the use of re refined or virgin oil specifically, I can help the environment by opting to used re refined oil. Find out more about this topic here: www.motoroilmatters.org