Myth 1: The oil in your car needs to be changed every 3,000 miles. Always. No exceptions.
Modern technology has brought cars and motor oil a long way, and most cars these days do not need to have an oil change every 3,000 miles. Look at your owner’s manual to find the recommended interval for your vehicle. Vehicles manufactured in the last few years can typically go about 7,500 miles between oil changes. However, driving conditions can influence how often you need an oil change, if you frequently use your vehicle to tow, do a lot of idling, experience severe weather conditions, or race, then your car will probably need to have oil changes more often.
Myth 2: If your oil is black, it’s time for an oil change.
False. If the oil is black, then it’s doing its job! The oil takes the small particles that could result in engine sludge and holds them in suspension, making the oil look darker. Of course, there is a limit to how much the oil can hold, and that’s why its important to consult your owner’s manual to find out what the recommended oil change interval is for your car.
Myth 3: Once you use synthetic oil, you can never switch back.
You can switch back and forth between synthetic and petroleum-based oil. Often the two are even blended. The important thing is that you check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s viscosity requirements, and then you can use whatever oil you want that meets those criteria.
