5 Common Oil Change Myths Debunked

by | Aug 14, 2015 | Automotive

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Even though the urban legend of the 3000-mile oil change interval has largely been debunked, drivers continue to hear contradictory info about Automotive Services Lansing MI. Many don’t know what type to choose, or how often it should be changed at Berger Chevrolet. In this article are some of the most common misconceptions about engine oil, along with information meant to dispel those myths.

Oil has to be changed every three months or 3000 miles, whichever is first. As was mentioned above, this is a myth; a credo followed by dealerships and designed to get drivers in for service as often as possible. In today’s cars, oil can safely be changed at intervals specified in the operator’s manual, which is roughly 7500 miles.

Change the oil before a road trip. There’s a grain of truth to this; it’s wise to inspect a car before a long trip. However, if the vehicle isn’t approaching its recommended interval for Automotive Services Lansing MI, doing the job before the trip isn’t necessary.

All cars should receive “severe maintenance schedule” service. This rule is quite common, and it persists in certain areas of the auto care industry. “Severe” means situations such as racing or heavy load towing, which can put an enormous strain on engine parts. City traffic doesn’t always qualify as a severe condition, meaning that many drivers can successfully follow the regular maintenance schedule.

Check oil level on the dipstick; if the oil is black, it needs to be changed. This is another myth, as is the assertion that oil change necessity can be detected by smell. Different oils have additives that change its color, and a darker hue isn’t always indicative of the need for an oil change.

New cars should get a 3000 mile oil change to rid the engine of metal shards from the break-in process. There may be some truth to this, but most metal filings that are big enough to damage the engine are removed by the oil filter.

There are many myths and misconceptions in Automotive Services Lansing MI, and the information given here was meant to dispel some of them. By learning when to change a car’s oil, the driver can keep it on the road for many hassle-free years. Visit website for more information.

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