Keeping up with regular oil changes is essential to keep your car running. It’s also a smart choice for Lakeside or Fruit Cove drivers looking to get the most out of their investment — a well-maintained car is often easier to sell and requires fewer unexpected repairs. Most car owners know they need their oil changed regularly, but how often should you change your oil?
You won’t hurt anything by changing your oil every 3,000 miles, but many modern vehicles can go much longer between oil changes — as much as 7,500 and 10,000 miles. As with every maintenance schedule, though, your mileage may vary — check your owner’s manual and think about the kind of driving you do on most days.
Oil Change Frequency Guidelines
7,500-10,000 miles is a broad range, and it’s only true for specific cars. But whether your vehicle needs its oil changed every 5,000 miles or every 10,000 miles, those numbers assume perfect driving conditions. Not sure what kind of driving would increase your oil change frequency? Any unusual or excessive driving habits can do it, including:
- Off-roading
- Commercial use
- Heavy towing
- Racing
- Routine stop-and-go traffic
How Long Does an Oil Change Take?
How Long an Oil Change Can Take at a Dealership
When you visit Greenway Nissan of Jacksonville, most oil changes will take less than an hour. If you would like a better idea of what your wait time may be, you can always schedule a service appointment so that we know you’re coming and can get your oil change taken care of on your schedule.
How Long a DIY Oil Change Can Take
If you plan to change the oil in your vehicle at home, the time it takes will vary. We recommend you budget at least an hour, especially if you haven’t changed your oil before or recently. You’ll also want to ensure you have the right materials, including:
- New oil
- New oil filter
- New oil filter gasket
- Rubber mallet
- Correctly sized wrenches
- Jack
- Wheel blocks
There’s a sense of accomplishment to handling your own auto maintenance, but it’s often quicker and easier to make the trip to our Jacksonville service center, whether you’re in Lakeside or Yulee.
Set Up an Oil Change at Greenway Nissan of Jacksonville
Now that you know a little more about oil change frequency, you should probably ask yourself if you need an oil change. You can trust the team at Greenway Nissan of Jacksonville for all of your automotive service needs, from routine maintenance to more substantial repairs. Contact us today if you have any questions or check out our service specials to see how easy it is to save on your routine maintenance.
