How often should you change your oil?
How often should I change drive train fluids for rear wheel drive and 4 wheel drive vehicles?
Vehicles today are capable of driving 200,000 – 500,000 miles on the original drive train parts. Most fluid changes cost between $19 – 100.
Once a vehicle arrives at the 80,000 – 100,000 mile mark, the fluids have outlived their useful life span. They are no longer able to fully protect your vehicle.
All vehicles have a manufacturer recommended service schedule.
The oil life indicator on most vehicles today does not take these situations into consideration.
Synthetic oil as a whole will not break down and leave your vehicle unprotected. Synthetics also improve fuel economy and eliminate costly part failures.
Most conventional oils for engines will not last beyond 3,000 miles. Most synthetic oils on the market do not protect the engine beyond 5,000 miles.
There are oil changes using specific synthetic oils that will allow you to go 25,000 miles at a cost that is less expensive than most people spend on oil changes combined in one year using conventional oils.
Here are some basic rules on average for changing your engine oil:
• Change every 3,000 miles when using a good conventional oil
• Change every 5,000 miles when using most synthetic oils
• Change every 25,000 miles when using an Amsoil synthetic.
Engine coolant should be flushed every 3 to 5 years to eliminate major part and gasket failures.
Transmission fluid should be flushed every 30,000 – 60,000 miles to eliminate transmission fluid related failures and extend the life of the transmission. Timing belts should be changed every 60,000 – 100,000 miles.
