Our parents taught us to change the oil in our cars every 3000 miles, but is this advice still legit? Find out how often you really need to change your oil, the best place for an oil change in Houston, plus get $5 off your next oil change! Sponsored by Robbins Chevrolet.
DING!
A bright yellow light blinks on in the dash: SERVICE DUE SOON (aka “get your car’s oil changed ASAP or suffer with this annoying reminder every single day until you do!”)
My husband is paranoid that if we don’t get the oil changed immediately at 3000 miles (when the light in my car goes on), the engine is basically going to lock up and explode.
Even though when we check it, the oil looks clean, I’m having a hard time convincing him that it’s ok if we wait a little longer between oil changes.
It’s an on-going conversation, and I’m willing to bet that we’re not the only household where this takes place.
So let’s settle it once and for all…
How Often Do You Really Need to Change Your Oil?
What our parents taught us: Change your oil every 3000 miles or every 3 months.
But is the age-old advice still relevant?
Answer: Probably not!
If you own a newer model car (built within the last 10 years or so), you likely don’t need to change the oil every 3000 miles on the dot. Depending on the type of vehicle and its use, you may be able to go 5000 miles or even 7500 miles between oil changes.
Not only can you save money by changing the oil only when necessary, but you can help the environment by not throwing away perfectly good engine oil.
Check your owner’s manual for guidance on the best intervals for your specific vehicle. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery also create a searchable database with recent oil change recommendations.
PS- If you’re located in the Houston, Texas area, keep reading to find out how to save $5 on your next oil change at Robbins Chevrolet!
How to Tell When it’s Time to Change the Oil
- Your car tells you it’s time — If a warning light comes on in your dash, this is an easy reminder to check and/or change the oil. Ask your mechanic or dealer the milage threshold for your engine oil warning light, so you’ll know if it’s accurate for your model and driving style.
- Check the oil manually — Most cars still have a dipstick which allows you to check the oil yourself, instead of relying solely on a dashboard reminder. When checking the oil using a dipstick, the oil color should be black or dark brown, with no particles. There should be indicators on the dipstick for the ideal oil level range, and anything between “min” and “max” should be fine. It’s a good idea to check your oil at least once a month between oil changes.
- Ask the pros at Robbins Chevrolet — When I visited the Quick Service Center at Robbins Chevrolet in Humble, Texas earlier this month, I met knowledgable technicians and service specialists who have been with the company for years. Their longest tenured employee has been at Robbins for 60 years — so they know their car stuff!
Should You Change the Oil Yourself?
There are a lot of things that I recommend doing yourself in order to save money, like cooking dinner at home as a part of weekly meal planning. (Our meal planning saved us hundreds of dollars a month!)
However, home oil changes surprisingly aren’t much cheaper than if you take your car in to the dealership. Plus, you’ll need to find an oil recycling facility, since you can’t just dump used motor oil in the garbage. This is one case where I prefer to let the pros handle it!
Where to Change Your Oil in Houston
Have you ever taken your car in for a “quick” oil change, only to be stuck waiting for an hour…or two…or more?
This is one of my pet peeves when it comes to changing the oil on the car, and it’s one of the reasons I used to dread oil changes! Who has that kind of time to sit around in a waiting room — especially with kids or a full time job!
That’s why I was so excited when I heard about the Quick Service Center at Robbins Chevrolet. They’ll get you in and out in 45 minutes or less!
If you’re located in Houston, Texas — especially in the Humble, Kingwood, or Atascocita areas — then you’ll love this!
What is Quick Service at Robbins Chevrolet?
Most dealerships simply have one service center for ALL car repairs, both minor and major. However, at Robbins Chevrolet there is a separate facility for “Quick Service” — oil changes, wiper blade replacements, and other minor car maintenance.
When your car needs an oil change, simply pop over to the Quick Service Center at Robbins Chevrolet when it’s convenient for YOU. First-come, first serve and no appointment necessary. That way you don’t need to remember to set up an appointment in advance or wait in the same line as vehicles with time-consuming major repairs. It doesn’t get any easier!
While the waiting room at the Quick Service Center is pleasantly equipped with cold air conditioning, comfortable chairs, and all the coffee you can drink, you won’t be spending much time there. The team at Robbins works to get you back on the road in 45 minutes or less.
TIP: For even faster service, bring your vehicle in at a non-peak time. Weekday lunch hour and Saturday mornings are busiest, but weekday mornings and Saturday afternoons usually have little to no wait.
Even though it’s a “quick” service, an oil change isn’t simply an oil change at Robbins Chevrolet. With every 6-quart oil change, the team at Robbins performs a 4-Tire rotation & multi-point vehicle inspection. That way you can drive with confidence knowing that your car truly is good to go.
DEAL ALERT: Mention The Soccer Mom Blog when you checkout for $5 off your next oil change!
Robbins Chevrolet is located at 18611 Highway 59 North, Humble, TX 77338.
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