How Often Should I Change My Oil Filter?

The old industry standard was to change your engine oil and oil filter every 3000 miles. While this is still prudent in many cases, today many manufacturers recommend intervals of 5,000 miles or more. Your vehicle's owner's manual will give recommendations on how often to change your oil and filter.

Note that your driving habits can also have an impact on how often you perform an oil change. If you do a lot of city driving or short trips, you might need to change your oil filter more often than someone who does mostly highway driving.

Towing a trailer, driving in extreme temperatures or traveling in the mountains, may also cause your oil to become contaminated more quickly. In cases such as this, more frequent oil changes are suggested.

The purpose of the oil filter is to screen out combustion contaminants; these are dirt and carbon deposits that are generated by combustion and end up in the engine oil. The oil filter stops the debris and contaminants prior to passing through and traps them inside so they don't find their way into the engine.

Over time, the oil filter gradually becomes more clogged as it traps billions of contaminant particles and carbon dust. In short, it becomes clogged.

The oil filter is a permanently-sealed metal unit so it isn't possible for you to perform a visual inspection to determine when it needs to be replaced. There is no instrument, gauge or warning light that comes on to remind you that it is time to change your oil filter. Its simply a mileage thing. After a fixed number of miles, it's time for it to be changed.

No appointment is needed to get your oil changed at the Express Lane at Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of San Antonio, TX. Visit our Express Lane webpage to see all the other services we offer at our dealership.