At some point, you’ve probably turned on our car and noticed a new light on the dashboard. If the light indicated the need for an oil change, you might have been tempted to put this maintenance task on the back burner. However, the experienced technicians from Chik’s Auto Air in Honolulu, HI, are dedicated to providing quick and affordable oil changes with minimal disruption to their client’s busy schedules. Here, their professionals explain how often drivers should schedule an oil change.

Why Is It Important to Get an Oil Change?

Your car’s oil and filter are meant to keep the engine greased and free of contaminants. These aspects also reduce warmth that could cause your engine to overheat and create widespread damage.

Regardless of the distance you’ve driven your car, engine oil becomes less productive the longer it sits. If you don’t use your car often, the lack of engine warmth will cause moisture to build up and shorten the service life of your engine. Your car’s oil could also be mixing with other substances that can cause additional harm. During an oil change, a mechanic will make sure your car’s oil is not milky in color, which could indicate a coolant leak or another engine issue. Remember, your car’s engine could be damaged if the oil supply is too low, and your warranty likely won’t cover those repairs.

How Often Should You Change Your Car’s Oil?

The owner’s manual is the best guide for determining your car’s healthiest oil change frequency, but other factors—such as the car’s age, the distance you drive it and the environment it’s driven in—will alter that timeline. With the introduction of new lubricants, it’s suggested that an oil change happen every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, or every six to 12 months. The old rules recommend a change every 3,000 miles or 3 months. The only exception arises if your car takes full-synthetic oil, in which case, you can wait until the 15,000-mile mark before taking it in.

If your car needs an oil change, call Chik’s Auto Air at (808) 591-1726 today. In addition to oil changes and safety checks, their technicians have become the top auto AC repair center in the region. They take pride in offering exceptional customer service and fair rates to get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible. Visit their website to learn more about their family-operated auto repair shop.