For the majority of vehicles, oil changes are one of the most frequent maintenance requirements. Here are some guidelines for figuring out how often you should change your oil.
Modern lubricants now allow for recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles in the majority of engines. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! Follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes because it is impossible to determine engine oil conditions by looking at its color.
Keep reading.
Older Cars: How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
Older cars typically have oil change intervals based on mileage, and have two maintenance schedules, one for cars driven in “normal” operation and another for those used in “severe service.” The latter category involves operating your car under one or more of the following conditions:
- Primarily short trips (5 miles or less)
- Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
- Sustained stop-and-go driving
- Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer
Use the more stringent maintenance schedule for your car if its usage falls under the definition of severe service in your owner’s manual. However, if you drive your car ordinarily, be cautious about spending your hard-earned money on maintenance tasks like oil changes that your car might not actually require or benefit from.
Depending on vehicle age, type of oil and driving conditions, oil change intervals will vary. With the advent of modern lubricants, most engines now have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles instead of the conventional 3,000 miles. Additionally, if your car’s engine needs full synthetic motor oil, it could go up to 15,000 miles between services! Follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes because you cannot determine the condition of engine oil by looking at its color.
Newer Cars: How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
The majority of more recent vehicles come with oil-life monitoring systems that automatically determine when an oil change is necessary and alert you with a warning on the instrument panel. Current advanced designs analyze actual vehicle operating conditions to determine when the oil will start to degrade, as opposed to earlier simple systems that were time and mileage-based. In fact, the owner’s and maintenance manuals for many newer cars eliminate “severe service” recommendations altogether because the oil-life monitoring system automatically shortens the oil change interval when it detects heavy-duty operation.
Whenever you have your car’s oil changed, the service technician should reset the oil-life monitoring system. By following the directions in the vehicle owner’s manual, you can reset the system if you perform your own oil changes.
On newer engines, it’s crucial to check the oil level monthly and top it off as necessary because they require fewer oil changes. While many engines require less than a quart of oil between changes, others can use up to a quart every 600 to 700 miles. Maintaining proper oil levels can help you avoid costly car repairs; engine wear or damage resulting from low oil levels will not be covered by your new-car warranty. Notably, even if the maintenance alert has not turned on, most automakers advise getting an oil change every 12 months if you don’t put many miles on your car.
Why Do Repair Shops Say I Should Change My Oil So Dang Often?
Your typical 3,000-mile quickie-lube sticker provides you with a general recommendation of when to change your oil based on a really rigorous maintenance schedule. Their job is to sell oil changes, after all. If you’re erring on the side of caution and aren’t in the market for a new lawnmower, the owner’s manual for your car is the real source you should look to first. Different vehicles have different maintenance needs, especially with recent advances in automotive technology that have pushed some newer cars’ oil change intervals out to 7,500 or 10,000 miles, or once every six to 12 months.
Why Are Oil Change Recommendations Given in Mileage and in Time?
Over time, oil degrades. The longer it sits, the less viscous it becomes and thus, the less effective it will be at keeping various engine components properly lubricated. Synthetic oil is designed to break down more slowly over time, which means you can probably stretch its oil changes out a little longer, but it still breaks down like any other oil. Excessive oil degradation can result in engine sludge, which can completely obstruct oil flow.
Are Frequent Oil Changes Better?
Unsurprisingly, service providers (dealers and oil-change shops) frequently advise shorter change intervals (between 3,000 and 5,000 miles). They will see you and your credit card more frequently, but it won’t harm your engine in any way. Other wear components like brake pads, coolant, tires, and shocks can be inspected and possibly replaced while your car is being lifted for an oil change. It obviously benefits their business as well. (Checking the oil level with the dipstick at least once a month is recommended for older vehicles that may burn oil.) But if you rarely drive your car in harsh conditions, you can follow the manufacturer’s suggested oil-change intervals (which frequently include an oil-filter change at the same time). In addition, pay attention to any oil-life monitor your car may have.
What You Need to Take Care Of
The factory oil filter only has a certain amount of scrubbing power if you frequently perform cold starts and short runs while driving on dirt roads, in dusty or salty environments, or both. (That’s why most makers recommend replacing the filter at each oil change.) Additionally, the sheer volume of combustion gases that pass by the worn piston rings of older cars can contaminate the longer-range oils. The oil eventually stops adequately shielding the engine’s sliding surfaces. Engine wear accelerates after the oil breaks down or is highly contaminated. Finally, almost no automaker advises leaving oil in the crankcase for longer than a year, regardless of the mileage.
How About Recycling Oil?
Recycle properly if you are changing your own oil. Most oil-change businesses and auto parts retailers (verify before you buy) will accept used oil for free. Changing your oil at the recommended intervals will extend the life and improve the performance of your engine, whether you do it yourself or have it done for you.
FAQs
Should I Change Oil Every 6 Months?
It is recommended to get your oil changed at least twice a year, even if you haven’t driven those thousands of miles that are normally recommended. Like everything else, oil deteriorates over time, and it’s bad for your car if it’s been deteriorating in the engine for months on end.
How Long Can You Go Between Oil Changes?
Cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Aside from that, if your car uses synthetic oil, you can go 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes.
Is It OK to Change Oil Every 10000 Miles?
Modern automobiles, however, typically have an oil change interval of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If your vehicle calls for a blended or full synthetic oil, you can push that to 10,000 miles.
Is It OK to Change Oil Once a Year?
Oil in engines deteriorates and performs less effectively as it ages. Most manufacturers recommend getting the oil changed at least once per year, no matter how few miles you’ve spent on the road.
Summary: How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
Even though the size of these maintenance appointments may seem inconsequential, skipping a required oil change can have disastrous effects on both the health of your car and your wallet.
Oil change intervals will vary depending on the age, type, and driving conditions of the vehicle. While it used to be customary to change the oil every 3,000 miles, modern lubricants now allow for recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles in the majority of engines. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! Follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes because it is impossible to determine engine oil conditions by looking at its color.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
