Regular maintenance is important on any car. So how often should you change your oil?

The answer in almost every case is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for your specific vehicle, which can be found in the owner’s manual. If you don’t have a manual, you can call a dealership and ask.

It is impossible to determine the condition of your oil just by looking at it. Newer cars may have oil monitoring systems that will tell you when it is time for a change with an alarm on the dash. Older cars—and the traditional way to do it—is to track the milage between oil changes.

Changing the oil involves making a number of decisions, from the type of oil (synthetic, blend, traditional, etc.) to the viscosity. It is often helpful to consult a mechanic, in addition to your car’s documentation, to determine the best course of action.

While regular oil changes are a part of the maintenance routine on every car, larger maintenance jobs—and the larger bills that come with them—may be an indicator that it is time to start shopping for a new vehicle. A good first step is to get pre-qualified for financing, so that you understand what’s available and have your financing in place before visiting a dealership. You can explore how to get pre-qualified with Credit Acceptance.