Optimizing Oil Change Intervals in El Paso’s Climate: Maintaining Engine Health in the Desert
How often do you need oil changes? If you’re like most drivers in El Paso, TX, you might assume that it’s best to schedule this service every 3,000 miles or three months. But while this is often thought of as the standard for oil change scheduling, it might not fit your situation.
Instead, it’s best to sit down and create a personalized oil change schedule — and one of the biggest factors you’ll need to consider during this process is El Paso’s climate. With that in mind, here’s our guide to optimizing your oil change interval and keeping your engine healthy in this desert community.
El Paso’s Climate and Oil Change Intervals: What You Need to Know
When putting together an El Paso oil change schedule, the best place to start is your car’s manual. While the advice in it will be extremely helpful, you’ll also need to account for a handful of additional factors, including this area’s climate.
Since El Paso is located in the Chihuahuan Desert, local temperatures can get extremely hot during summer. That said, this city also gets its share of cooler conditions, especially in the winter and during cold desert nights.
Both extreme heat and intense cold can affect the well-being of your motor oil. Oil may become dangerously thin under intense heat, and your vehicle's engine may have trouble protecting and lubricating it. On the other hand, low temperatures can make it hard (or even impossible) for your oil to flow properly. Either way, your motor oil won’t be able to function like it should — a situation that could have catastrophic consequences for your car.
Fortunately, you can alleviate these issues by taking a few common-sense steps. During the summer, make a point of scheduling oil changes more frequently than usual. And when late fall/early winter arrives, ensure your vehicle uses oil with a “W” in its grade. The W stands for winter, indicating that this oil can maintain its viscosity when faced with colder conditions.
Don’t Skip Over These Scheduling Factors
Though the local climate should have an impact on your schedule for oil change service, this isn’t the only factor you’ll want to keep in mind. In addition, it’s wise to consider:
Your Driving Habits
Are you a severe driver? Believe it or not, most El Paso motorists are — everything from driving long distances below 50 mph to traveling on dirt roads technically falls into this category. By getting oil change service more often than average, you can prevent these habits from negatively affecting your car’s well-being.
The Age of Your Car
As cars get older, their engines become less effective at using oil. As a result, you’ll need to increase the frequency of your oil changes throughout your car’s life span. If your vehicle has been in use for at least 75,000 miles, you should consider switching to high-mileage oil.
Unexpected Red Flags
Even if you put a great deal of time and effort into creating your vehicle’s perfect oil change schedule, you could still need this service earlier than expected. Unusual engine noises, smoke from your exhaust pipe, an illuminated check engine light, and dirty oil can all point to issues with your motor oil — issues you’ll need to resolve by getting an oil change ahead of schedule.
Choosing the Right Oil Type for Desert Driving
Once you know when you need oil changes, it’s time to think about the type of oil you want to use in your vehicle. For most drivers, that means choosing between the two most popular oil types on the market: conventional and synthetic.
Conventional oil is the most widely-used form of motor oil today. That popularity is primarily due to its price tag — this type of oil costs less than any other oil product. However, conventional oil won’t deliver the same level of performance found in other options, and it can’t reliably withstand extreme heat and cold. Though you can safely use this oil type in El Paso, you’ll need to compensate for its drawbacks by scheduling extra-frequent oil changes.
Full synthetic oil costs a bit more than conventional oil, but it makes up for it by providing improved performance. As part of that, full synthetic oil will have a much easier time dealing with El Paso’s daytime heat and evening chills. Finally, you can wait longer between one oil change and the next while using synthetic oil.
Where Can You Get the Best El Paso Oil Change?
If it’s been a long time since your last oil change, there’s a good chance that your vehicle is overdue for this work — especially if local temperatures have been extremely hot or cold lately. Still, you’ll need to put some effort into finding an oil change service provider you can trust to handle this task. Unfortunately, some shops in the area deliver subpar workmanship while overcharging customers for the services they need.
When you visit Martin Tire Company, you won’t have to worry about problems like these. Thanks to our ASE-certified mechanics, exceptional customer service, and convenient locations, we’ve been El Paso’s most trusted auto shop since 1945. Get the most out of your next oil change by scheduling your appointment online today!
