If you've ever searched "how often should I get my oil changed" or wondered whether the 3,000 mile rule is outdated, you're not alone. Plenty of articles out there will tell you that 3,000 miles is old news and that modern cars can go much longer between changes. And while that might be true under ideal conditions, here's the part those articles leave out: most drivers aren't operating under ideal conditions.

The reality is that what your manufacturer lists as a "normal" driving interval assumes a very specific kind of driving, mostly steady highway miles in moderate weather with a fully warmed up engine. But most of us aren't doing that. Short trips around town, stop and go commutes, driving in extreme heat or cold, hauling heavy loads, or even just a lot of idling all count as "severe" driving conditions, and they wear oil down significantly faster than the odometer suggests. Severe driving is actually the norm for the majority of drivers, not the exception. When you account for that, a 3,000 mile or 3 month interval is often the most protective choice you can make for your engine, because it ensures your oil is always doing its job rather than slowly breaking down between changes you think you don't need yet.

At Oilstop, we recommend a 3,000 mile or 3 month interval because we see firsthand how driving habits affect engine health. The cost of an extra oil change is a fraction of what worn out oil can do to an engine over time. If you're not sure how your driving habits stack up, or just want a straight answer about what your car actually needs, stop by and we'll walk you through it, no guesswork required.