It is both confusing and overwhelming keeping track of all the routine maintenance cars and trucks require. Fortunately, there is a very simple way to keep track of oil changes.

Oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles or every four months. To make sure you keep to this important schedule, mark your calendar with the date of your last oil change as well as your car's mileage at the time. Double-check the mileage on your car after the third month. Decide if you can wait another month, or take your car in to the mechanic in if the mileage is high. Even if you check your oil regularly, cars need oil changes because:

• Oil can get dirty
• Some cars leak oil
• Some cars burn oil
• Long road trips can make your oil dirty faster
• Long road trips can make some cars burn or leak oil faster

Cars and trucks need gas, oil and water to function properly.

Gas makes the car go, but the other two components are just as important. Water in the radiator cools the engine. Oil also keeps the engine cool by reducing the friction of its many moving parts.

Oil gets dirty the longer it is used. Eventually the accumulated carbon and sludge prevents the oil from doing its job properly, causing it to gum up the moving parts of your engine. There are other reasons for oil changes and checks:

• Older cars or cars in poor repair often leak or burn oil. This means the amount of oil in the engine will drop over time.
• You may get away with driving your car with one quart less than the recommended oil level, but this too creates wear and tear on the engine. If you do not fix the problem or at least maintain the proper amount of oil, over time the engine can be seriously damaged.
• A regular oil change may prevent the problem from becoming a serious issue if the leak or the amount of oil burned is small, but you should always have the underlying problem fixed.

Sometimes even cars in good repair can use up oil. How often should you check your oil, in addition to the 3,000-mile / four-month marker?

• During a long road trip
• At the end of a long road trip
• In the middle of the time period between your last oil change and your next oil change

If you discover your car is burning a small amount of oil, you can easily replace it. If you do not know how, ask a mechanic to do it for you or show you the process. When doing it yourself, proceed with caution; you can actually damage your vehicle by adding too much oil.

You may not feel comfortable replacing the oil, but checking for the right amount is something anyone can do.

• Open the hood and look for the handle labeled "oil." This is the handle of a dipstick that indicates the oil level.
• Pull the dipstick out of the tube, wipe it off, then dip it back into the tube.
• Pull it out again. You will now get an accurate reading on how much oil you have.
• Most dipsticks have a marker that indicates "full" and many also have another marker to indicate when the oil is a quart low.
• It is best to check the oil when the car has not been moving for a while.
• If the car is still hot, you can still safely check the oil. Just be careful not to burn your hands on the hot engine.

Your 3,000-mile oil change often coincides with other routine maintenance issues. That is why your mechanic may recommend a package deal, which includes inspection of your fluid levels, fan belts and other items. By following the 3,000-mile / four-month rule, you can guarantee your car or truck stays in good working order.