Experts used to recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles, but most of today鈥檚 newer cars
don鈥檛 require their oil to be changed that often. Here鈥檚 a good rule of thumb 鈥� if your car is older than a 2002 model year, you should probably change your oil every 3,000 miles. If it鈥檚 newer than a 2002 model, it鈥檚 fine to change your oil every 5,000 miles.
So, why is it important to change your oil? Motor oil lubricates, cools, and seals internal engine components. When the engine is running, oil is constantly circulating through critical parts of your car鈥檚 motor. That鈥檚 why regularly checking and changing motor oil is an important part of overall vehicle maintenance. Neglecting to change the oil periodically will shorten the life of your engine. Many car owners change their own oil. It鈥檚 a job that is not as difficult as you might think. It鈥檚 a great do-it-yourself auto-repair project and a way to learn a little more about your car. Get a parent or other adult to help you out, consult your vehicle owner鈥檚 manual to find out what kind of oil to use.
