Every neighbor in the Richmond, Ashland, and Mechanicsville, Virginia area knows that oil changes are one of the most common forms of automotive maintenance. However, many people wonder when you should change the oil in your Ford. That answer may vary depending on which model you have, how old it is, and your driving habits. Richmond Ford Lincoln is here to answer that question.
If your wondering how often should you change your oil, most Richmond, VA technicians recommend changing oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. The exact recommendation for your Ford can be found in your owner's manual, or you can ask a technician at our service center.
If you have less-than-typical driving habits, like excessive towing, extensive idling, or driving off-road, you should change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Many Ford models have the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, which is part of your vehicle's instrument cluster. The monitor will display alerts like Oil Change Required or Engine Oil Change Soon.
There are two types of oil that can go into your engine: conventional and synthetic. Conventional oil is made from crude oil and is effective for vehicles that endure routine driving like commutes and errands. Although this oil is effective, it's highly susceptible to breaking down with extreme temperatures and should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Synthetic oil is popular because it lasts much longer than conventional oil and can even help provide longer engine life. Synthetic oil could be changed roughly every 10,000 miles.
These two oils both have their pros and cons. Conventional oil is less expensive than synthetic oil but breaks down quicker and requires more frequent changes. Synthetic oil can last much longer and require fewer changes. It's also used in most newer car models. Conventional, on the other hand, is highly recommended for older vehicles with higher mileage.
Oil is essential for your vehicle to function properly. Your engine has several moving parts that constantly rub against each other. After a while, this leads to them heating up and creating friction. Oil acts as a lubricant for these metal parts, reducing the heat and strain of these parts rubbing together.
The oil that first goes into your engine is a golden brown color. When it reaches the end of its life, it looks black and sludgy and sometimes causes your car to emit a burning smell. It cleans the moving metal parts and collects the crud that builds up. Oil is most effective when it's clean.
Ford drivers in the Richmond, Ashland, and Mechanicsville, VA area nearing the time of their next oil change or unsure of how often they should change their oil can schedule an appointment with us at Richmond Ford Lincoln. Our service center is fully equipped to handle your oil change, and we use Motorcraft® Motor Oil, which is specifically designed for Ford vehicles.
If you have any more questions about how often should you change your oil, contact our Richmond, VA Ford service center or Schedule your oil change with us today!