How often do u need oil change

You know you should change your oil at regular, reasonable intervals to make sure your car runs smoothly, but a common question remains: How often should you change your oil? What is a reasonable amount of time — or mileage — between oil changes?

The traditional recommendation is that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. However, the new standard is that you can typically change your oil every 5,000 miles worry-free (especially if you are driving a relatively new car or it's in “optimal operating conditions).

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Oil change frequency
Oil changes in extreme operating conditions
Oil changes in optimal operating conditions
About This Article
About the book author:
This article can be found in the category:
Why is Changing Oil Important?
Should I Use Synthetic Oil?
Cost Factors
Types of Motor Oils for Your Vehicle
How Heat Affects Motor Oil in Your Car
What’s Involved in an Oil Change?
Do It Yourself Tips
Easy Does It
How often do you really need an oil change?
Do you need to change oil every 6 months?
How long can you go without oil change?
Do I need to change oil every 12 months?

The truth is that the frequency in which you change your oil depends on your manufacturer’s recommendations, your operating conditions (environment), and how much wear and tear your car has already experienced.

Oil change frequency

Before we dive into the different conditions that can impact oil change frequency, we must understand why we even need to get an oil change! Dirty oil just doesn't do the job as well as fresh oil does. The additives in dirty oil boil out, contaminants form in the crankcase and eat metal parts, and water collects over time and forms sludge.

The oil holds more and more abrasive particles of metal suspended in it, and these particles wear away the parts of the engine the oil is supposed to protect.

Credit: ©iStockphoto.com/fcafotodigital

All oil looks pretty black within a couple of days after an oil change, so the only way to avoid running on oil that's so dirty it becomes a liability is to keep a record of when it was last changed and to change it frequently — as often as every 1,000 miles in extreme operating conditions. By changing your oil frequently, you may get twice the mileage out of an otherwise good engine.

Oil changes in extreme operating conditions

You'll be surprised by what some "extreme operating conditions" are: If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving in city or rush-hour traffic, make a lot of short trips each day, leave the car parked long enough to have your engine cool down between them, and don't often get up to high speeds on a highway, your engine rarely gets hot enough to evaporate the water that forms in the crankcase and builds up sludge in the engine.

Other extreme conditions include driving in very hot weather or in areas with a lot of blowing dust or dirt, or if you tow or haul heavy loads all the time. In any of these circumstances, change the oil as often as every 1,000 to 3,000 miles on older vehicles. On new vehicles, follow the manufacturers' recommendations for extreme use.

Oil changes in optimal operating conditions

How often to change oil can be dependent on the car manufacturer — some manufacturers suggest that oil be changed every 7,500 miles or more, but that's based on optimum operating conditions, and the manufacturers are the ones who get to sell you a new vehicle if your old one wears out prematurely.

Although new vehicles can run longer on the same oil than older ones can, and improvements in motor oil have extended its efficiency over longer periods of time, to be on the safe side, you might want to change your oil every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

If you're a freeway driver who goes on a lot of long journeys at high speeds, you can probably extend the oil change interval. But on anything but the newest vehicles, don't go longer than 5,000 miles between oil changes. And never, under any circumstances, go farther than the manufacturer's recommended maximum interval between oil changes.

About This Article

About the book author:

Deanna Sclar is an acclaimed auto repair expert. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including NBC's Today show and the NBCNightly News. Sclar lectures internationally on the ecological impact of vehicles and is active in promoting residential solar energy programs. Sclar is also the author of Buying a Car For Dummies.

This article can be found in the category:

General Car Repair & Maintenance ,

Find out how often you need to change the oil in your car and what signs to look for should it need changing.

It seems that an oil change is the equivalent of heading to the dentist for a biannual cleaning. It’s inconvenient on the one hand but necessary on the other.

Today’s newer-tech engines using synthetic oil are engineered to go anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 between oil changes. While more exacting standards in engine-building technology are now in play, the quality of the synthetic oils has also improved. And there’s another factor: the addition of oil-use monitoring systems in more than half of today’s new cars that will give you a heads-up when it’s time to change the oil.

There are also general recommendations as to your specific driving style and needs. For example, if you drive around town for most of your excursions, putting around 6,000 miles on the odometer every six months or so, it might be a good idea to change it twice a year. If you do a lot of highway or long-distance running or operate your vehicle in sandy or dusty surroundings like the deserts of Nevada or Arizona, you might be a candidate for more frequent changes.

Once upon a time, local service stations and oil change franchisees recommended changing traditional oil every 3,000 miles and replacing the oil filters simultaneously. To a large degree, that was mostly a marketing ploy. Lately, with the use of synthetic blends and full synthetic oils, owners are now able to push out or extend the vehicle’s oil life further to 7,500 miles and even 10,000 on certain models, depending on your driving habits.

Why is Changing Oil Important?

Engines have made quantum leaps in technology, but the one thing that has remained a constant is the way we lubricate them. And the need to keep that oil clean to ensure long engine life. That entails draining the oil, replacing the filter, and refilling the engine with new lubricant.

High-compression engines, auto start and stop technology, turbocharging, and more have put increasing demands on oil and lubricant technology. Conventional oils are derived directly from crude oil. Newer synthetic oils blend traditional oil with lubricants and other additives that enhance its performance but come at a higher price, on average, than regular oils.

Should I Use Synthetic Oil?

To decide what type of lubricant is suitable for your vehicle’s engine, it’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s manual. Inside you will find the type, grade, and frequency of change for your engine’s oil.

Cost Factors

Did you know you can see how much an oil change costs for your vehicle here at Kelley Blue Book?

Even so, a typical conventional oil and filter change will run in the neighborhood of $25 to $55, depending on which neighborhood you live in, of course. Using synthetic oils will up those prices to anywhere from $45 to $75, give or take. Although many vendors, whether a dealership express lane or quick-lube shop, will advertise “in and out in 30 minutes or less,” our experience tells us to set aside an hour for the procedure.

Doing it yourself will save a considerable amount of money. Five quarts of conventional motor oil and a new filter will cost around $27, depending on your location. The same amount of synthetic motor oil and a new filter will cost around $37 plus tax.

Check local auto parts suppliers for such specials.

Types of Motor Oils for Your Vehicle

There are several types of motor oils offered today. Widely available, either at your dealership or the local auto parts and big box stores, they are tailor-made for the type of driving you do.

Traditional motor oil has always been a safe choice but requires replacement at a much more frequent interval. The same applies to the filters that trap as many impurities from the oil flow as possible during its lifetime. Traditional motor oils should be changed after approximately 5,000-miles of service.

Semi-Synthetic motor oil combines traditional and synthetic blends and is a good choice for vehicles that operate under heavier loads and extended driving sessions. Semi-Synthetics last longer than traditional oils and could safely provide proper lubrication to around 8,000 miles.

Synthetic motor oil is the perfect choice for today’s high-tech engines, whether high performance or high efficiency. They offer better performance from a viscosity standpoint (the ability to flow through engine parts) and increased protection from foreign deposits. Good all the way out to 10,000 in some usages, it is the perfect choice to protect your investment whether it’s a pickup truck or a plug-in hybrid.

How Heat Affects Motor Oil in Your Car

Regional temperature fluctuations have always been a moving target. And they can affect the duration of your motor oil’s effectiveness. But care in selecting the proper grade of oil for your vehicle should be at the fore to make sure it gets just what it needs for years of uninterrupted service. Where you live and how you use your vehicle are just as important as how much you drive it.

The introduction of higher temperatures can cause oil to break down sooner than expected, while at the same time, wind-blown sand and grit can be introduced into the engine, especially under extreme conditions.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), all vehicles can benefit from the use of synthetic oil.

What’s Involved in an Oil Change?

Nobody knows your vehicle better than your local dealership service department, which has undergone factory training to properly maintain and repair your car, truck, or SUV. While traditional oils are still in widespread use and were most likely what your vehicle was using when it came from the factory, your dealership service department stocks a wide variety of brands and types of oil that will suit the needs of your specific vehicle and its type of usage.

Consult your owner’s manual for oil type, oil amount, oil pan location, drain plug, and oil filter sizes and locations.

Do It Yourself Tips

Park on a flat, level surface. Apply your vehicle’s parking brake and turn the engine off. If needed, raise the front end of your vehicle with a pair of jack stands. Open your hood and remove the oil dipstick to allow complete drainage of oil from your crankcase.
Make sure to wear safety glasses. Once your vehicle is secure on the jack stands, crawl under and move to the engine’s oil pan. (Consult with manual for directions)
Locate the drain plug at the bottom of the plan.
Position a catch pan under the drain plug. Make sure it is large enough to capture all the oil draining from your engine. (Consult with manual for capacity)
Using the proper socket wrench or box-end wrench, loosen the drain plug over the catch pan to flow the draining oil into the pan. CAUTION: The oil may still be hot!
Inspect the drain plug for any stripping of the threads or the bolt itself. If it is okay, replace it once the oil has completely stopped draining. If in need of a replacement, hopefully, you will have already acquired it. Retighten with the wrench used to remove it.
Locate your oil filter. Have your oil catch pan ready in case of any residual oil remaining. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Check the gasket to make sure it was removed with the filter. Replace with a new filter after applying a coat of oil to the new filter’s gasket.
Remove the oil filler cap and pour the proper amount of fresh synthetic or conventional oil back into the engine, using a funnel to avoid spillage. Replace the cap.
Start the engine, letting it idle for at least a minute. Check underneath for any leakage. If all is good, turn off the engine, and lower the vehicle by using the jack and removing the jack stands.
Check the oil level using the dipstick once on solid ground. Use the oil dipstick as a gauge. Add additional oil if necessary.
Properly dispose of old oil by taking it to your local dealership service department or auto service center to be recycled.

Easy Does It

You will now= longer have to change your car’s oil every three thousand miles or so– those days are in the past. However, it remains a critical aspect of vehicle maintenance to ensure long engine life.

Whether you do it yourself or use a professional, it’s important to not only stay on schedule but keep records of the changes. It will help enhance the resale value of your vehicle if the subsequent owner knows that you’ve been diligent in maintaining it.

And by keeping the oil fresh and clean, you can rest assured that your vehicle will be ready to go when you are.

How often do you really need an oil change?

It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car's engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services!

Do you need to 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. Oil, like anything, degrades over time, and if you have oil degrading in your engine for months and months and months, that's not good for your vehicle.

How long can you go without oil change?

Most vehicles will need an oil change every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. If you're using synthetic oil, the maximum oil change interval increases to about 10,000 miles. Keep in mind that those numbers are general guidelines and that the actual interval will depend on your car's make and model.

Do I need to change oil every 12 months?

“Have your oil changed every 10,000 miles, 15,000 kilometers, or 12 months, whichever comes first. Such intervals should be reduced by half under severe driving conditions.”

oil change