How often do pre-owned vehicles need their oil changed?

General guidelines for changing the oil in a used car 

You may have heard that pre-owned vehicles need their oil changed more often than new vehicles. While this is generally true, it does depend on several factors, including the age of the car, the type of car, and the way it has been driven. Keep reading below for general guidelines on when to change your car’s oil. You can get an oil change here at Carl Black Hiram in Hiram, GA. 

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Oil change interval based on vehicle mileage 

The best way to keep track of your oil changes is to monitor your mileage. When you get a professional oil change, the technician can usually tell you how many miles to go between oil changes. You can ask a member of our team for a recommendation based on your make and model. While it is difficult to put a general number on it, the consensus is usually between every 3,000 and 6,000 miles. The newer the car, the higher you can go between oil changes. If your car is older, we’d recommend coming in more frequently. Not only is it great preventative maintenance in itself, but coming in for a regular oil change allows us to check your vehicle for any other issues, and older vehicles should be regularly assessed. 

Where to get your oil changed

Oil change interval based on months or years 

Really, everyone should be getting an oil change every year. If you go an entire year between oil changes, that’s likely too long. Most people drive a little over 10,000 miles a year, meaning that if you’re following a 3,000-mile interval schedule, you should get your oil changed every three or four months. Learning to check your oil level at home is very simple and easy to do and will help you know when it’s time for a change.  

What happens if you skip an oil change?