The Complete Guide to Volkswagen Oil Change Intervals and Benefits

As a leading Jacksonville VW dealership, we get a lot of questions from drivers about how to best take care of their VWs. A lot of drivers specifically ask about the humble oil change, a service that has the power to protect your Volkswagen’s engine. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your VW running smoothly for a long time to come.

Oil Change Intervals and Benefits: A Complete Guide from Your VW Dealership

What Motor Oil Does

Motor oil has a few critical functions that help keep your VW’s engine running smoothly. First, oil lubricates the engine, helping the pistons move smoothly. Fresh, clean oil also gently removes any impurities or microscopic metal fragments, which are caught in the oil filter so they don’t recirculate into the engine.

Change Intervals: How Long Motor Oil Lasts

The longevity of a motor oil can vary based on its origin. Conventional motor oil is a petroleum distillation byproduct and tends to be more affordable, but it also tends to have a shorter life. Most conventional oils last up to 3,000 miles or three months. Synthetic oils are man-made products and offer more mileage before breaking down in an engine. A typical synthetic oil can last roughly six months or 7,500 miles.

Your maintenance team will always let you know how many months and miles your motor oil is rated for, and many locations will put an unintrusive sticker on the inside of your windshield with a reminder of when to change your motor oil.

Should I Change By Miles or Months?

You should always change your motor oil when you hit either the time limit or the mileage limit. Once it’s poured from its container, motor oil breaks down both from use and from time. So whether you’re putting lots of miles on your VW or it’s sitting for prolonged periods, it will still need an oil service within the recommended limits.

Should I Get Synthetic or Conventional Oil?

In addition to their differing longevity, conventional and synthetic motor oils have different strengths. Generally, we recommend synthetic oil. It tends to outperform conventional oil in many common driving situations like cold weather or stop-and-go traffic. Additionally, if you tend to make multiple short trips rather than longer journeys, synthetic oil can perform better, since conventional oil doesn’t perform as well as synthetic oil when it’s cold.

However, you can always have an open discussion with your maintenance team and describe your driving patterns to help find the perfect oil for your needs.

When it’s time to schedule an oil service, trust your VW to the people who know it best. Book your next oil service today at Tom Bush Volkswagen in Jacksonville, FL.

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