When should I change my engine oil and filter?

Your vehicle’s engine is made from hundreds of moving parts that work together to propel your car. Engine oil lubricates these parts so they can move smoothly, and carries excess heat away from the engine to prevent overheating. As it circulates, it moves through your engine filter, which removes tiny but very harmful particles of dirt, metal and debris.

If your engine oil runs low or your filter becomes too clogged or dirty, you risk serious damage to your engine. While both your engine oil and filter are changed during a full or interim service, scheduling a pre-emptive oil and filter change lets you maintain high performance and avoid hefty repair costs.

When to change your engine oil

When your engine oil runs low, a warning light on your dashboard will illuminate. But by the time this happens, low oil levels may have already caused some damage. So it’s best not to rely on this to know when your engine oil needs changing.

How often you should change your engine oil depends on the make and model of your car. The manufacturer sets a recommended oil change interval, which you can find in your vehicle handbook.

But this isn’t an exact science, and your engine oil might need to be changed earlier than recommended. Signs that you need to change your engine oil include:



• Dark colour when checked with the dipstick
• Coarse, gritty oil when checked with the dipstick
• Dirty smoke from the exhaust
• Unusually high engine noise
• The warning light on your dashboard

When to change your engine oil filter

A traditional rule of thumb is that you should replace your engine oil filter every 3,000 miles. But thanks to improvements in vehicle and component design, most manufacturers actually recommend intervals of around 7,500 miles. Just like your oil change, you can find a specific recommendation for your vehicle in your owner’s manual.

Certain conditions can affect the frequency of your filter change. For example, if you often drive in a city, make short trips, tow a trailer, or drive in extreme temperatures, this causes increased wear to your engine oil filter. So it’s important to keep an eye out for other signs of a failing filter.

Signs that your oil filter needs changing include:

• Engine overheating
• Loss of performance
• Dirty exhaust fumes
• Low oil pressure

Book your engine oil and filter change today

For a fast and affordable engine oil and filter change that keeps your car in top condition, get in touch with the expert team at Ablefit Tyres & Exhausts Ltd. We have three centres across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, including Brislington, Longwell Green and Muller Road, so it’s easy to schedule vehicle maintenance near you.

Contact us today to book your engine oil and filter change, and enjoy peak performance and comfort every time you drive.