How Often Should You Replace Your Chevrolet’s Engine Oil in Bellevue?
Posted on: June 14, 2022Most drivers who are meticulous about their car maintenance usually want to get an answer to the question of oil change frequency. Changing your engine oil on a regular basis is critical to the health of your Chevy. That being said, there is a lot of conflicting information about how frequently you should change the engine oil, as some say every 3,000 miles, while others boast 5,000 or even 7,000 miles between changes. It can be quite confusing.
In the past, most car manufacturers recommended you change the engine oil at 3,000 miles. This was the gold standard. It was a result of the quality of engine oil that was produced back then.
Now that we have better and higher-quality engine oils on the market, the oil change interval has increased, but it still varies. The frequency with which you should replace the engine oil in your Chevy depends on your mileage, frequency of use, road conditions, type of oil used, and it can be determined by whether your car is still under warranty and must meet certain conditions to remain protected. Let’s take a closer look.
When Your Car Is Still Under Warranty
To avoid nullifying your powertrain warranty, follow the instructions in your owner’s handbook. If you cannot find your owner’s handbook, you can get a free copy online. Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or according to the owner’s manuals. You must use the correct kind of oil and follow the suggested oil change frequency for your powertrain warranty to be valid.
When Your Vehicle Is Out of Warranty
If your Chevrolet does not feature an oil-life monitor or your powertrain warranty has expired, you must carefully examine how you drive to decide how frequently you should replace your oil.
If you often drive in harsh conditions, change your oil every 3,000 miles or three months. The following are some examples of harsh conditions and they could affect how often you need to change the oil:
Driving in stop-and-go conditions
Driving your Chevy in heavy traffic where the engine of the car has to run for hours when you are not accelerating could affect the frequency of oil changes. This would even be worse if the weather is very hot. Your can may have a tendency to overheat. Since the engine oil is one of the fluids that cools down the metallic components of the engine, it is utilized more and will need to be replaced or topped up more often.
Driving on rough terrain like gravel, mud, or sandy roads
Driving your Chevy on harsh terrain puts a lot of strain on the entire engine. As a result, the way the engine oil would be used up would be higher. This means that you have to change the oil earlier than you should.
Long-distance driving at a low speed
Driving your Chevy for a long trip at low speed can also affect the engine oil change interval. Be sure to always watch your gauge and mileage. If you are unsure, give your mechanic a call to discuss the proper interval.
Towing other vehicles for long distances
When you tow other vehicles with your Chevy, it exerts more pressure on your vehicle because of the weight and other factors like slow driving as you pull the other vehicle.
Driving Under Normal Road
If your Chevrolet does not have an oil-life monitor and you also do not drive under some of those harsh conditions mentioned above, then you could replace your oil around 5,000 miles. However, it is recommended that you replace your oil after 3,000 miles if your car is a decade old and this applies whether you are driving in regular or severe weather. Additionally, if your car is more than a decade old, you should check the oil level on a regular basis.
Is it worthwhile to pay the extra money for synthetic oils?
If your Chevy owner’s handbook specifies synthetic motor oil, you must use it. If it does not, you can drive in normal conditions using petroleum-based oil. However, synthetic oils are worth the added expense if you drive in harsh circumstances.
Synthetic motor oil is appropriate for frequent hard-driving situations since it resists breakdown due to high temperatures and improves the oil filter’s performance. If you use synthetic motor oil, you should change the oil every 7,000 miles maximum.
Visit Our Professional Repair Shop in Bellevue!
Landmark Motors has certified and experienced mechanics who will help you with any maintenance you need for your Chevrolet and other brands. We serve car owners in Seattle, and Bellevue, WA and nearby communities. Stop by our shop or call us for your next service appointment!