As a car owner, you are likely familiar with the concept of motor oil. Between constant reminders from your mechanic, TV commercials and your mother, the necessity of keeping current with your car’s oil changes has become basically mantra for you. Unfortunately, the only constant in this great universe of ours is change, and that holds true for motor oil as well as anything else. Over the past several years, common lubricant wisdom has been revised to account for new technology both in your engine and your bottle of motor oil, so it couldn’t hurt to brush up on the basics of what you need to know.

Change is good – but how often?
Ask anyone on the street how often you should change your oil and you’ll undoubtedly get the same response: every 3,000 miles. This common piece of garage-floor wisdom has been passed through the generations. However, in recent years the paradigm has shifted somewhat. According to Edmunds, the 3,000-mile rule has become obsolete thanks to advances in engine and motor oil technology. While it differs model to model, most cars don’t only need their oil changed every 7,500-10,000 miles, though Edmunds does recommend checking your owner’s manual to be sure. You’ll also want to keep track of what kind of driving you do, as stop-and-go driving can have a different effect on your engine than highway cruising.

What’s in a name?
While motor oil has traditionally been thought of as a one-size-fits-all affair, recent years have seen this change as well. Certain manufacturers have started brewing up their own proprietary blend of motor oil that their models will require. What does this mean for you as a driver? Manufacturer-specific oil may lead to increased maintenance costs when it does come time to change your oil, as well as potential warranty concerns should you use an unapproved motor oil instead. Fortunately, not all automakers have adopted this policy, so it could pay to do the extra research when it comes time to look for a car to see what you can expect when it comes time to check the dipstick.

Keeping your car’s oil changed is an essential part of maintenance. For help with your oil changes and any other maintenance needs, make an appointment with NJ State Auto Auction‘s Total Car Care Center. The knowledgeable staff are on hand to identify any potential issues or simply to keep your car in great working condition.