Should you get service based on time vs based on mileage?

Time-based car service vs mileage-based vehicle service

You often see warranties or service information giving you time and mileage suggestions or requirements, such as “three years or 36,000 miles.” When it comes to routine maintenance, guidance is often given about how many miles should be driven between oil changes, generally arriving somewhere between 3,000 miles and 10,000 miles (though the specific number is up to the manufacturer, so it is always best to check your owner’s manual). But what about situations where you are hardly driving, like what has been happening the past year for many people? What if months and months have gone by since your last oil change but you haven’t come close to the mileage amounts needed for that service? We want to take a closer look at time-based car service vs mileage-based vehicle service. 

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Should you get an oil change even if you didn’t hit the necessary mileage? 

In short, yes, there are instances where you should get your oil changed and your vehicle serviced even if you did not hit the normally required mileage. It is recommended that, even if you do not drive often, you should get your oil changed at least twice a year to keep everything running smoothly. So, if you’ve hardly driven at all in six months or longer and haven’t hit that 3,000 or 5,000 mile threshold, it is still recommended to change your oil anyway. 

Oil always degrades over time, so the quality of the oil continues to deteriorate as the months progress. No matter how often you are driving, the oil quality will only go down over time, and even if you do not drive often, you need to be sure that you have high-quality oil working its magic. 

Other routine services to consider 

You don’t want to let too much time go between service appointments because, in addition to getting fresh oil for the engine, other items might need attention. Even if you haven’t driven the necessary amount of mileage, the time elapsed is important to consider for such things as tire rotations, battery checks, brake service, and really the whole kit and kaboodle. It is vital to stay on top of your vehicle’s needs because, while you may not drive it often, you need to be sure it will work as it is supposed to when you do take it out for a spin! 

San Francisco Toyota has two service center locations!

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