Oil Change in Fairfax: The Pros and Cons of Extended Intervals
Automotive technologies are constantly improving, and these developments can significantly impact vehicles’ service needs. Take oil changes, for example. Back in the day, local drivers were encouraged to schedule an oil change in Fairfax, VA, every 3,000 miles or three months. In contrast, current recommendations from some auto manufacturers encourage drivers to wait longer than that before scheduling their next oil change.
While getting oil changes less frequently can undoubtedly provide some advantages, adjusting your oil change service schedule in this way can also lead to some unexpected problems. Read on for an in-depth explanation of the benefits (and drawbacks) that come with following today’s extended oil change schedules.
Schedule Your Service Appointment Now!
Advantages of Extended Oil Change Intervals
Oil changes are among the most affordable auto maintenance services, but you’ll still need to spend money on this task. By stretching your oil change interval, you can reduce your overall maintenance expenses.
Naturally, that isn’t the only perk that comes with an extended oil change interval. This approach to oil change scheduling can also save you the time you’d otherwise spend waiting for your shop’s mechanics to complete their work and reduce your carbon emissions through fewer trips to the shop.
Don’t Ignore These Extended Interval Drawbacks
The benefits described above may be appealing, but you’ll also need to consider the disadvantages of extended intervals before altering your oil change schedule. By waiting longer than usual between car oil changes, you could:
Unintentionally Neglect Vehicle Maintenance
When you wait a relatively long time between oil changes, there’s a good chance that you’ll also pay less attention to your car’s oil level. However, motor oil levels can decrease faster than expected, and insufficient oil could cause serious problems for your vehicle.
If you have a newer car, you might not think this is something to worry about — these vehicles typically come equipped with oil-level sensors designed to let drivers know when it’s time for an oil change. Unfortunately, no sensor is perfect, and these components can fail without your knowledge. To avoid oil-related problems, check your oil manually at least once a month.
Get Even Worse Results from Subpar Oil
If you know anything about motor oil, you understand that it has a limited service life. Even the best oil on the market won’t last indefinitely, but it will still have a much longer life span than low-quality oil.
Over time, combustion byproducts and condensation will contaminate and oxidize your oil, leading to the formation of acids and sludge. High-quality oil can prevent these problems for a while, but cheap oil doesn’t contain the additives needed to do so for any significant amount of time.
As you might expect, following an extended oil change interval while using less-than-exceptional oil will only make this situation worse. If you use low-quality oil and don’t change it regularly, your engine could be seriously damaged. To avoid this situation, err on the side of caution when scheduling a Fairfax oil change service and find a shop that can provide a high-quality Valvoline oil change.
When Do You Need an Oil Change?
In Fairfax, VA, today’s drivers are encouraged to wait longer than ever before between one oil change and the next. Even so, you shouldn’t take this as an excuse to neglect your vehicle’s oil change-related needs. Instead, you’ll need to think about creating an oil change schedule that’s right for you.
Some auto manufacturer recommendations call for 5,000-mile or even 10,000-mile intervals, but these don’t account for severe driving habits. Those habits are far more common than you might think — anything from traveling below 50 mph in hot weather to driving on dirt roads can fall into this category.
If you have severe driving habits, you’ll need to counteract them by getting oil changes more frequently than you otherwise would. Typically, this means cutting your recommended interval in half. If your car’s manufacturer recommends a 5,000-mile oil change interval under normal circumstances, you’d be better off getting oil changes every 2,500 miles.
The quality of your motor oil will also affect your oil change scheduling needs. Instead of using poor oil and waiting a dangerously long time between oil changes, consider upgrading to a better oil — that way, you can extend your oil change interval while protecting your car’s well-being.
Get Exceptional Oil Change Service
When you need an oil change in Fairfax, VA, you shouldn’t just pick any auto shop to handle it. Our Fairfax auto repair shop won’t only remove your car’s old oil and replace it with fresh oil. Our expert mechanics will also provide full-service oil changes, including valuable maintenance tasks like replacing your oil filter, topping off other fluids, and carefully inspecting your vehicle.
Are you looking for full-service Valvoline oil changes in or around Fairfax? If so, give Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto a try! Our oil changes are handled by qualified mechanics, and we help our customers save by providing oil change coupons and auto repair financing options. Set up an oil change appointment at your closest Hogan & Sons location today!
