3 Myths About Oil Changes Are Busted

When you bought your new car, you probably got told all kinds of information about when you should have your oil changed. All your friends and family are probably too happy to tell you what they thing is true. The fact is, that there is a lot of misinformation out there. It can be hard to figure out what is true and what isn't. 

Myth: Oil needs to be changed every 3000 miles.

Fact: Your car may be able to go as much far as 10,000 miles in between oil changes. One reason for this is that engines are getting more efficient. Another is that the science behind synthetic oils keeps getting better. That means that the oils that are being produced are better for your car and will protect your engine much better. 

If you are unsure as to how long your car can go in between oil changes, you should consult your owner's manual. You could also check with your dealer, they should be able to give you accurate information. 

Myth: Change your oil before a long trip. 

Fact: You only need to have your oil changed before your trip if the time to change it will fall during your trip. It is a good idea to take your car into the garage and have it looked at before you leave, but you really don't need to change your oil pre-emptively. Just making sure that everything is running well, your brakes are good, and your tires are fine should be more than enough. 

Myth: Once you use synthetic oil, you always have to use it. 

Fact: You can go back and forth between natural and synthetic oil. In fact, most oils have a mix of synthetic and natural oils in them. Synthetic oils all start out with a natural oil base and then are engineered to be better. The one thing you need to make sure of, no matter what kind of oil you use, is that you are using the right weight and viscosity oil. That's much more important to your car than whether or not the oil is natural or synthetic. 

Knowing the real facts behind the oil for your car will help you make the best choices for your car. Making sure that you follow all the manufacturer's recommendations will help your car's engine last for a long time, which ends up saving you money in the long run. For assistance, talk to a professional like Import Specialty Auto.

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