How to know when it's time for an oil change at Paul Thigpen Ford Lincoln

Getting the oil changed regularly in your vehicle is one of the best things you can do to keep it performing well and running reliably. Of course, at Paul Thigpen Ford Lincoln in Vidalia, GA, we understand how busy you are and how car maintenance can be easy to postpone. But your car's engine does need clean, fresh motor oil on a regular basis. Here's a look at what can happen otherwise, and some warning signs that your car needs an oil change.

Too much vehicle exhaust

Today's cars, trucks and SUVs don't usually send out exhaust you can see. When you see smoke coming from your tailpipe, that might mean there's a serious problem with the engine. In some cases, it can mean your engine has cracked gaskets, which would be a major repair. At the very least, it means your motor oil is getting too old to perform properly so drive in from Baxley or Metter, GA and let us change your oil.

Oil level is dropping

It's a good idea to pull out the dipstick frequently and see if the engine oil level is down. That's a good time to top off your oil, which can help extend the time between oil changes. We don't, however, recommend using the "top-off" method as a way to avoid letting us change your oil at factory-recommended intervals. If the oil level keeps dropping significantly, you might be leaking oil, so we might need to install new gaskets to help solve that.

Excess engine noise

One of the big advantages of getting an oil change is that clean oil helps keep critical engine components well-lubricated, which helps them last longer. If your oil is getting old, it can get thinner so it doesn't lubricate as well. When that happens, your engine might start knocking and that's a sign your oil is due - or overdue - for a change. Make the short trip from Lyons, GA and let us give your car the oil change it needs.

So how often should you change your oil?

It's best to be guided by recommended oil change intervals and not wait for signs of car trouble. In the past, the rule of thumb was every 3,000 miles. With today's synthetic oil, your car might go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. The right frequency depends on how you drive. We specialize in oil changes so we can help you find the right intervals at Paul Thigpen Ford Lincoln in Vidalia, GA.