When is the correct time to change my cars oil?

Question: "My new car now has 4,300 miles on the odometer, and I'm thinking about getting the oil changed so I asked my son-in-law who he recommends I take it to… and he said: "Well, first of all you don't have to change the oil until 7,500 miles. Says so right in the owners' manual. But when it is ready, you have to take it to the dealer where you bought it since it's still under warranty." Does that make sense?"

Nope… and I'll tell you why. First of all, I would double-check the owners' manual on that service interval. It probably suggests the oil changes at 7,500-mile intervals in normal driving circumstances. But in severe (i.e. Arizona) driving circumstances, you need to follow the sever maintenance schedule which probably indicates you're already overdue; the first service should have been done at about 3,000 miles.

Secondly, you don't have to take it to the dealer unless you choose to for maintenance work. Just because the car is under manufacturers warranty against defects, doesn't mean that they can dictate who does the maintenance work. That's up to you. Just make sure you save your receipts and be sure that they use the specified fluids.