When to Check Oil – When to Change Oil

Traditionally, experts have recommended that Kansas City drivers change their oil every 3,000 miles. If your car was built in the 2000s or 2010s, that number is likely closer to between 7,000 and 10,000 miles. The way to get the facts is to check your owner’s manual.

That said, because this is a nuanced topic, read our guide for all of the factors that can affect how often you should change your oil. We’ll also teach you how to check the oil level in your car. If you have any questions about oil change frequency or how to check car oil, get in touch with a service department or take a trip through our Express Lane for a quick diagnostic in Lee’s Summit.

Oil Change Frequency Guidelines

Refer to the above paragraph for an overview of how often you should change your oil, but remember that many factors can affect your oil change frequency. Some of these include:

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing

How Often Should I Change Synthetic Oil?

Blue Springs drivers who use synthetic oil will need an oil change every 6,000 to 16,000 miles. As always, check your owner’s manual for specifics about your synthetic oil change frequency.

How Often Should I Check My Oil Level?

Seeing as the rules for how often you should get your oil changed vary quite a bit, we recommend that Independence drivers check their fluid levels (including oil) once a month. If you notice any metal particles in the oil, if it seems slushy, black, or smells burnt, get it changed ASAP. Let’s take a look at how to check car oil.

Learn How to Check the Oil Level in Your Car

Before you begin experimenting with how to check car oil in your driveway, please note that higher-end vehicles from the past 5 years use electronic oil monitors. Our instructions will detail the classic method of using a dipstick on a traditional engine block.

If you drive a somewhat new luxury model, check for recommendations in your owner’s manual. You’ll likely need to take your car in if you’re trying to get a look at the health of your oil. If you’re just trying to check oil levels, you’ll put them on your dashboard.

To manually check oil in your average car, simply follow these steps:

1. Put the vehicle in park on even terrain. Turn off the engine. Give it a minute to cool off.
2. Pop the hood and find your dipstick.
3. Pull it out and wipe it down.
4. Re-insert the stick all the way back into its tube.
5. Then pull it out and look at both sides to see where the level is.

The way that a dipstick can indicate proper oil level can vary from stick to stick. In most cases, there will be a notch on your stick that indicates that you have the proper oil level if the oil stain reaches the marking.

Why Check Your Car’s Oil Level?

Now you know how to check the oil level in your car, it’s important that Gladstone drivers know that your oil is one of the most vital components of your vehicle. It lubricates the hundreds of parts in your engine that continuously grind up against each other to minimize wear and the heat that’s created. Without oil, those parts would generate so much heat that your engine would fail. When you know how to check the oil level in your car, you can make sure your vehicle has enough clean oil, especially important when you consider how many factors can affect how quickly you can burn oil.

Turn to Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for Oil Changes

Now that you know how often to change your oil and how to check the oil levels in your car, if you think you’re due for a change, reach out to Lee’s Summit Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for a top off. If you have other questions related to car care, be sure to check out informative guides on how to check transmission fluid and how to change your car battery as well!