Even beginners know that you need to change your engine oil every now and then, but knowing how often to change your engine oil can be a confusing question due to recent innovations in the automotive industry. The frequency of oil changes also varies depending on the make and model of the car, driving conditions, and driving habits.
Before significant improvements in fuel delivery systems, engine materials, manufacturing methods, and oil chemistry, the conservative estimate for oil change intervals is every 3,000 miles. Today, modern engines typically allow 7,000 or even more than 10,000 oil change miles, while the best quality fully synthetic oil allows up to 15,000 oil change miles.
How often should a car change its oil? This ultimate guide on oil changes will explain in detail the factors that affect how often you should change your oil, how often to change your oil in different situations, how much it costs, how to choose the right oil for your vehicle and useful oils, and professional tips on changing oil and monitoring engine oil for optimal performance.
A Guide to Changing Oil in Your Car: Why You Must Change Your Oil Often
Warranty
If you don’t change the oil on time with the right product, it could void your car warranty.
So, when the vehicle is new, the answer is simple: if you don’t want to void the powertrain warranty, follow the oil type, mileage, and time recommendations in the owner’s manual. In most cases, you will need to take the vehicle to a dealership for the necessary inspections and maintenance, and the oil change service will be included in the service.
This is an important maintenance
Engine oil is the lifeblood of a vehicle’s engine. While this may not sound like important maintenance, making sure you always have enough oil and the right type of oil is the easiest way to ensure you avoid catastrophic engine failures and costly repairs.
This is especially important if you’re driving an older car. When a car has a mileage of more than 100,000 miles, the wear and tear of the engine causes it to burn off extra oil every time you drive. Although small, this loss increases over time, depleting the oil level more quickly, and therefore requiring more frequent oil changes.
The second reason why you should check the oil level and replace your old car regularly is that high-mileage vehicles are also more prone to oil leaks. Remember to check the oil regularly and top it up in time to avoid serious damage to the engine.
What affects the frequency of oil changes?
The type of engine oil, the age and brand of the vehicle, and driving habits all affect when it takes to change engine oil.
Oil type
It used to be normal to change oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubes, most modern engines today recommend changing oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or even 10,000 miles. In addition, if your car’s engine requires a high-quality, fully synthetic oil, the oil change interval can be as long as 15,000 miles.
This is mainly due to changes in engine design and manufacturing that have led to the need for higher quality oils. Most of today’s automobiles are designed to use all-synthetic oils or synthetic blends, which last longer before the viscosity drops.
What makes a good synthetic oil capable of extending the average oil drain interval to an impressive 10,000 to 15,000 miles of service?
Synthetic oils are designed to be more effective at preventing viscosity degradation and, as a result, fully synthetic or synthetic blends last longer. To achieve this, special additives are added to these oils, which also suspend the dirt and particles for a longer period of time so that the oil filter can capture them. In general, this resistance to breakdowns and contaminants also helps to extend the life of the engine to some extent.
Synthetic oil can also withstand more extreme temperatures, which means it won’t fail in the event of an engine overheating or hot weather. Also, in very cold winters, the synthetic oil starts flowing as soon as you start the car, so you won’t experience the starting difficulties that are so common in cold winter mornings.
Synthetic oils can also help engines that are prone to sludge buildup, such as some Volkswagen and Toyota models in the past. This residue, which forms when the oil breaks down, can block the flow of oil, leading to engine failure or even permanent damage. If there is no sludge build-up, synthetic oil will help extend the life of the engine.
So should you always choose a synthetic oil or a synthetic blend? Almost all newer models use synthetic or blended oils, and if the manufacturer so specifies it in the manual, you must always and only use it.
Otherwise, if you have an older model that still uses traditional petroleum-based oils, you have another option. Read on to find out if synthetic oil should be used for your engine according to your driving conditions and driving habits.
Your vehicle
How often should a car change its oil? The second factor that affects the frequency of oil changes is the make and model of your vehicle. In general, many professionals recommend shorter oil change intervals for older models.
That said, it’s a good idea to check your manual. Understandably, service providers would benefit from prompting you to check your oil change sooner than needed, as they will also check your vehicle for other potential issues.
A note on recent automotive innovations: Some newer vehicles have built-in oil life monitors. This gadget uses algorithms, sensors, and software to track drive temperature, cold start, travel time, idle time, and engine rpm. It uses this data to calculate the condition of the oil and the replacement interval during the warranty period.
Keep in mind that the oil monitor is calibrated for the type of oil recommended in the owner’s manual. Service alerts are displayed in the instrument cluster. In some systems, one of the dashboard information screens reads out the remaining oil life as a percentage.
This is very different from the red oil pressure warning light that lights up when the engine is started. If it lights up when you’re driving or idling, it means you’ve run out of oil or have a very serious problem with your engine. If this is the case, do not attempt to drive, but immediately check the fuel level and troubleshoot.
A Guide to Changing Oil in Your Car: Your Driving Habits
Your driving habits also affect the frequency of oil changes. There are usually different recommendations for normal driving and severe driving. The recommended oil change interval varies depending on whether you are towing or not, how often you tow, the weather, and the road you are driving.
If you live in an area with very cold winters or very hot summers, or if you use vehicles to tow or haul heavy materials, synthetic oils are your best bet. Another serious driving condition that shortens the life of the engine oil is driving short distances below highway speeds. It’s better to drive 5000 miles on the highway in five months than 1,500 miles in town in five months.
Severe driving conditions with shorter oil change intervals include:
- Stop-and-go driving in extreme hot weather.
- Long-distance low-speed driving.
- Excessive idling.
- Drive long miles on dusty, muddy, salty, sandy, or gravel roads.
- Long-distance trailer towing.
- If you make multiple short trips of 5 miles or less at room temperature.
- If you’re on multiple short trips of 10 miles or less in freezing temperatures.
- Track driving.
While synthetics generally hold up better and can last longer mileage, it’s also important not to extend the oil change beyond the manufacturer’s recommended time interval – usually six months or a year if it’s an engine that doesn’t drive many miles. Many excursions.
How often should a car change its oil: the rules
So how often should you change your oil? The short and safe answer: check your user manual. Don’t make assumptions about time intervals based on past experience or guidance from mechanics who have benefited from their work, as time has changed over the years.
Many cars, pickups, and SUVs now have service reminder monitors that alert drivers when to change oil. These systems typically monitor the number of miles the vehicle has traveled, and also sense the intensity of the car’s driving and adjust accordingly.
Or, to put it another way, how many miles does it take to change the oil? Most automakers now recommend an oil change between 7,500 and 10,000 miles, although some specify an interval of 5,000 miles.
In general, many professionals recommend shorter oil change intervals for older models. According to Ford Motor Company, drivers with normal driving conditions and habits who have 2008 and newer models should have their engine oil changed every 7,500 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Meanwhile, drivers should change the oil of vehicles from 2007 and older every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.
For 2008 and newer vehicles, drivers with less typical or poor driving conditions and habits should change their engine oil every 5,000 miles or six months, and every 3,000 miles or three months for 2007 and earlier vehicles. Less typical driving habits include frequent off-road driving or driving in dusty conditions, towing or carrying heavy loads, excessive idling, or driving long distances at low speeds.
Guide to changing oil in your car: How much does it cost to change your oil?
The cost of an oil change is usually between $20 and $55, and you should expect to pay an average of $45 to $50. The use of synthetic oils can raise the price to an average of $45 to $70.
In addition to choosing between a premium blend or a full synthesis, the oil filter is also an important factor. The cost of an advanced filter is around $6 compared to an economical filter, while the latter is $3.
Note that many auto service professionals charge extra for the latest models of cars because oil changes require more labor and as engine and body parts get in the way, making access more difficult. Changing a premium blend or fully synthetic motor oil for these newer, more cumbersome models can cost anywhere from $75 to $95.
Customers buy oil change products and want to look for the cheapest price. However, the whole reason we change the oil is to make our expensive cars last a long time, so why give your car the cheapest service?
Choose the right oil for your car
Take a look at your user manual. As mentioned earlier, don’t rush to buy synthetic oil for your engine if it’s not necessary.
In many newer models, the weight of your car’s oil is printed on the lid where you add the oil. Before visiting a mechanic, make sure you know what the carmaker’s recommendation or requirement is so that you can control the cost of the oil they add.
What if you have an old car? If your manufacturer doesn’t ask for it and your car works well with traditional petroleum-based oils, then you don’t necessarily need a special oil like expensive synthetic oils. Synthetic blended oils and fully synthetic oils can cost two to four times more than conventional oils. If you’re not sure which oil you should use because you don’t have a user manual, you should be able to find it online or check with your local dealer or online hobbyist group about your specific model.
How often should you change the oil in your car Tips: Watch the dashboard lights
It is recommended that you track the number of miles traveled between oil changes, although some cars make this easier through dashboard indicators that tell you when it’s time to go to the store, which is part of the so-called oil life monitoring system. These systems track your mileage and use driving data analyzed by your car’s computer to determine when your car needs an oil change. When the light is on, it’s best to change the oil as soon as possible, but not necessarily urgently.
If you have your car’s organic oil life monitoring system, please note that this light is different from an oil pressure lamp, and will light up on the dashboard if the car’s oil flow is not normal due to low oil level, oil pump failure, or oil leakage. system or other issues. Understand the difference between the two instrument lights, because if the oil pressure light is on, you need to stop driving as soon as possible to avoid damage to the engine.
Oil life monitoring system. Source: Honda
Make it a habit to check your oil at least once a month to make sure your car isn’t leaking or burning oil. If the fluid level is low, top it up as soon as possible to avoid damage to the engine and ensure the best driving experience.
Guide to changing oil in your car: Check and replenish the oil between changes
You should keep an eye on the oil level of your car. Professionals point out that even newer cars may need to be topped up with oil between changes to ensure that the engine runs smoothly without interruption.
If you don’t know how often to change the oil, or how to check between oil changes, consult your owner’s manual. These habits will help ensure the longevity of your engine.
It is generally recommended that you check the oil level at least once a month. Make sure to make repairs at the first sign of a leak.
Some newer cars are equipped with electronic fuel level monitors and don’t have traditional dipsticks for manual checks. If you have a dipstick, follow the instructions below to check the oil level and check if you need an oil change.
A dipstick for manual oil checks. Image Credit: PA: Press Association
First, make sure the car is parked on level ground. If the engine is running all the time, be aware of potential hot spots under the hood.
With the engine turned off, open the hood of the car and locate the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and wipe off all the oil at its ends. The dipstick is then inserted back into its tube and pushed it back into place.
Pull it back, this time taking a quick look at the sides of the dipstick to see where the oil is at the end. Each dipstick has some way of indicating the proper oil level, whether it’s two pinholes, the letters L and H (low and high), the words MIN and MAX, or a simple cross-hatch area.
If the top of the oil “streak” is between two marks or within the crosshatch area, the oil level is good. But if the oil is below the minimum mark, you need to refuel.
Pay close attention to the color of the oil. A good oil should be a clear brownish-black color, although color is not the only indicator of oil longevity. If the oil is cloudy or opaque, it may need to be replaced, and if the oil is milky white, your engine may be leaking coolant.
Also look carefully for any metal particles, as this could mean damage to the inside of the engine. If you see any of these, take the car to a mechanic for further diagnosis.
If everything is fine, wipe the dipstick again and reinsert it into the tube, making sure it is completely in place. Close the hood and you’re done.
