How Often Do I Need to Get an Oil Change?

One of the questions we’re asked the most is “How often should I change my oil?” With freezing Mississauga weather quickly changing to sunny, warm days and then back to cold again, your vehicle engines can be prone to increased condensation and moisture which results in the contamination of engine oil. This, coupled with having more carbon in your oil from longer engine warm-up times and increased raw fuel going into them, means that an oil change in your car, truck or van has to be done regularly. This is because water is one of the worst sources of engine oil contamination.

Team Chrysler Recommends Getting an Oil Change Every 5,000-7,000 KM

Knowing how often you need to change your oil is an important part of your vehicle maintenance. At Team Chrysler we recommend having your oil changed at least twice annually, or every 5,000 – 7,000 kilometres. Even if your vehicle uses synthetic oil it still needs to be changed at the same intervals. With engine oils being thinner now, and vehicles generally being lighter, there is an increased risk of your vehicle’s fluids being contaminated – so it’s important to remember to have your oil changed regularly and at the right intervals.

It’s also a good idea to take advantage of the many different offers and service specials that your dealership has. One of the great benefits of having regular oil changes is that it will be combined with other important services like tire rotation and overall inspection of your vehicle engine and other components.

Tips When Doing the Oil Change Yourself

If you are the do-it-yourself type who prefers to change the oil in your vehicle yourself, following all of the right steps will guarantee that your oil change is done correctly. It is important to read through your vehicle manual and find out what weight and type of oil is needed for it, as well as making sure that your oil filter is the right one that will last the distance recommended between oil changes recommended in your owner’s manual.

After laying down a plastic sheet and driving your vehicle over it, jack up your vehicle and set the jack stands in place, then lower your vehicle onto the jack stands. Put all the tools you will need in one place, including the new filter, a drain pan, a box-end wrench, and a filter wrench. Get the oil flowing by removing the drain plug, and install the new oil filter after removing the existing one. When the oil old trickles down, you may need to install a new gasket on the plug. After tightening it with the box-end wrench, wipe the oil drips with a cloth.

For Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.7-, 4.7- or 5.7-litre engines, 5W-30 oil is recommended, and as with all engine oil, this depends on your climate. Contact us today to book your next oil change and service appointment!