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How Often Do I Need an Oil Change?

Oil changes are a common maintenance need, and you may wonder how often you’ll need one as you drive your vehicle throughout Belle Vernon, Uniontown, Washington, or West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

In this article, you can find out more about oil changes. Our service technicians at C. Harper Chevrolet Buick Cadillac will be happy to assist with this maintenance. Contact us today!
Oil

How Often to Change Oil

Oil should be changed between 7,500 miles and 10,000 miles. For some drivers, this may occur about twice per year. This biannual appointment is a good benchmark for all drivers to use, including those who don’t plan to reach 7,500 miles. Oil can deteriorate even when not in use, and by switching it out twice a year, you’re ensuring that you have working motor oil at all times.

You can use other measures to make sure you’re taking good care of your engine oil. These include:
•    Reading the owner’s manual for recommended oil change intervals
•    Watching the vehicle’s oil life monitor for messages
•    Consulting a skilled technician

The owner’s manual is a great tool to use for all sorts of maintenance, and it should guide you in knowing what mileage intervals to keep track of in order to schedule your next appointment on time.

If you have a more recent model year vehicle, then it may come with an oil life monitor that detects when an oil change is needed. You should get a message about scheduling service so that you’ll know exactly when it’s time.

Lastly, you can always reach out to a skilled technician who is experienced in oil changes for all types of vehicles. Our service staff is happy to answer any questions, so you’ll feel assured you’re getting your oil changed as often as you need to.

    Which Engine Oil to Choose

    There are a few different things to consider when it comes to selecting oil for your car:
    •    Oil type
    •    Oil viscosity

    Oil types usually include the following:
    •    Conventional – best for average driving conditions & more basic engines
    •    Synthetic – best for high performance driving conditions, like towing
    •    Synthetic blend – mix of synthetic and conventional to enjoy benefits of both types
    •    High mileage – best for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles on them

    There’s also the oil viscosity to consider. Often listed as something like “5W-20” (or similar), this viscosity will let you know how your oil will flow in both cold and hot temperatures. Each engine has its own recommendations as to which type to use. You should be able to find this information in your owner’s manual or by asking a technician.

      How To Schedule an Oil Change

      If you’d like to schedule your next oil change at our dealership, you can use the form on our website or you can contact us. When you come for an oil change, you can also get a few other services thrown in. These include:
      •    A tire rotation
      •    A multi-point inspection
      •    Fluid refills

      Our technicians are also skilled in handling a wide variety of other maintenance needs. Check out our service specials page to see some of the deals we offer on other services.

        Schedule Your Next Oil Change Today!

        The technicians here at C. Harper Chevrolet Buick Cadillac can provide the advice you may need as you choose the right engine oil and viscosity for your vehicle.

        Drivers throughout Belle Vernon, Uniontown, Washington, or West Mifflin, PA, are welcome to schedule their next oil change at our service center today!

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