The oil change is an essential part of owning any vehicle. If you don't do it when you're supposed to, you greatly endanger the health of your vehicle, and you run up costs because of fuel inefficiency. It's something you've got to do regularly, whether you do it yourself or take it to a garage to get it done. Unfortunately, your engine doesn't tell you when you need it done. Unlike other repairs and maintenance needs, your car won't tell you. It's something you've just got to remember to do. Cars And Light Trucks When you should get it done depends on exactly what you drive, but for most passenger cars and light vehicles, an oil change is recommended once every year, or once every 7,500 miles. But wait - this is just an absolute minimum. This is recommended for standard cars that are not used very much. These days, we put our cars through lots of abuse, so you may want to get it done sooner. Mechanics recommend getting an oil change more often if you do the following: - Drive a lot, use your car for work, or take road trips of any kind fairly often. - Live in a city, where you do lots of stopping and starting in traffic or at lights. - Experience extreme weather - anything hot, cold, dusty or especially humid. If you fall into the above list somewhere, you give your car "severe service," and this means you should get your oil change twice as often - twice a year, or once every 3,750 miles. Diesel And Turbocharged Gasoline Engines If you drive a diesel engine vehicle or something that uses turbocharged gasoline, your oil change needs are going to be higher. These vehicles should have it changed once every 6 months or once every 3,500 miles. How Do I Know When It's Time? As we mentioned earlier, your car won't let you know when it's time to get this essential service. That's why it's all up to you to keep track of your service times or mileage. Most mechanics recommend doing it by mileage, since this is more reliable. If you make a long road trip or do an extra bit of driving at some time, this is going to drive up your mileage and you'll need to get it done sooner. The best method is to keep a small notebook in the glove compartment. Write down the mileage when you last had it changed, and make a note of the next time you'll need it. When you're getting gas, occasionally check that notebook and make sure you're not getting close. Getting an oil change for your vehicle is just as important as any other type of repair or regular maintenance. If you don't want to climb under your car and get your hands dirty, you can always take it to a garage where an experienced mechanic can do it for you quickly and cheaply. Make sure to get it done regularly, and you'll ensure a long, clean-running life for your vehicle's engine. If you are in need of an oil change Denver is a great place to get it. This city has tons of professionals to choose from but only one is as qualified and professional as this: http://www.meineke-denver.com/.
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