Do I need to be actively monitoring my car miles usage to insure I'm changing the oil and or oil filter regularly?
I had been told by others that you need to monitor the miles to know when to change the filter. It seems to me that this should be automated with an engine light but I have been told this isn't the case. I have been taking my car in when the oil light comes on. It is a 2007 Honda Element and my first car.
You should be monitoring miles, but the oil light should be doing that also. Your owner's manual will recommend how often (how many miles) you should change the oil. It's ok to be a little late. :)
If the vehicle has an oil life monitor (hence the light stating to change your oil), you shouldn't have to worry about it: the light will tell you when to change your oil. The oil life monitor uses all the factors of your engine and driving to determine when the oil needs to be changed. These factors include distance driven, engine heat, engine revolutions, time since last oil change, and other factors. It takes all of it into account when it decides you should change the oil in your vehicle. Normally when you change your oil, the filter is changed at the same time, so there is no need to separately monitor your mileage or time since your previous oil change. Just change both together and you'll be golden.
