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Regular oil changes are an important part of keeping your engine in peak condition, improving its performance, and extending its life. But how often do you actually need to change your oil? Can you wait until your car's next service, or does it have to be at the traditional 3,000-mile mark?
In this guide, we'll look at the myths and misconceptions about oil changes, explain why oil changes are important, and help you figure out how often you need to change your oil based on your driving habits, driving conditions, and other factors.
Oil Change Intervals
Historically, experts recommended changing your car's oil every 3,000 miles. Engine materials and oil chemistry has improved in the last decade, and some cars can go up to 10,000 miles between oil changes.
The truth is that oil change intervals can depend on a number of factors, including your driving style and the environmental conditions.
If you mostly drive short trips of around 10 miles or less, you need to change your oil more often because your engine isn't getting hot enough, frequently enough, to get rid of the condensation that's built up in the system. The condensation makes the oil break down faster. Remember, most of the wear on your car occurs during ignition; driving regular short trips can be tough on your engine. If that's the case, it's best to change your oil more frequently.
If you drive a newer model and use synthetic oil per the manufacturer's guidelines, you can generally go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Consult your owners manual for the manufacturer recommendations.
Older Cars
If you drive an older car, it's a good idea to check your owner's manual. Most older cars recommend oil changes based on mileage. Even if you don't drive your car frequently, you should schedule at least bi-annual oil changes for your car and keep it topped up with clean oil throughout the year. You should also replace your oil filter regularly.
Moreover, extended use in older cars with worn piston rings can lead to increased contamination of longer-range oils due to the high volume of combustion gasses that bypass the rings. Over time, the oil may lose its ability to protect the sliding surfaces within the engine, resulting in accelerated engine wear. The breakdown of oil or excessive contamination can exacerbate this issue.
If you mainly drive short distances, regularly drive in freezing or extremely hot conditions, travel at below-average speed for long distances, or travel on rural roads where there's a lot of dust, mud, gravel, or sand, or do a lot of heavy towing or carrying with your car, you need to change your oil a lot more frequently, no matter how old your car is.
Newer cars
If you drive a new car, you should follow the exact mileage, time, or oil type recommendations per the manufacturer's guidelines to keep your warranty valid. Your warranty should also cover oil changes as part of regular required maintenance services, which takes the guesswork out of the entire process. Many newer models have built-in oil-life monitors that use technology to track cold starts, hours spent driving and idling, and other factors to recommend oil changes at appropriate intervals.
Do EVs and Hybrids Need Oil Changes?
Internal combustion engines need oil to keep the moving parts in the combustion engine, including valves and pistons, lubricated and moving smoothly at high speeds. When these moving parts come into contact with one another, metallic flakes are released and build up in the oil, which is why you need to change the oil regularly.
EVs ( or Electric Vehicles) do not use internal combustion engines, which is why they don't require oil changes. However, you do still need to check your coolant and brake fluid regularly.
Hybrid cars still rely on an internal combustion engine, which requires oil. It's important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and to take your driving style, temperature, road conditions, and oil type into account when planning oil change intervals.
Oil Change Frequency and Driving Conditions
Some driving conditions mean that you need to change your oil more frequently, such as dirt roads, dusty or dusty or salty environments, excessive idling, cold starts, and short trips.
Driving on dirt, salted, or gravel roads exposes your vehicle to a higher level of contaminants. These contaminants can find their way into the engine oil and compromise its effectiveness. Cold starts and short trips prevent the engine from reaching its optimal operating temperature. During these conditions, the engine may not fully burn off fuel and moisture, leading to the accumulation of contaminants in the oil.
Your oil filter only has a limited capacity to scrub contaminants from the oil, which is why manufacturers often recommend replacing it during each oil change. Regular oil changes help remove these contaminants and prevent them from causing damage to the engine.
Should I Use Conventional or Synthetic Oil?
You've probably heard car enthusiasts debate whether conventional oil is better than synthetic oil and vice versa. Both oil types are based on crude oil, but the process that's used to make them is very different.
Conventional oil is made when crude oil is heated at varying high-temperature points, creating a base oil. It is not very refined, which is why you need to change it more frequently.
Synthetic oil is formed at a more stable high temperature to extend its longevity. It's more expensive, but you won't need to change it as often. If you regularly tow heavy loads, synthetic oil can really give your engine a much-needed boost. Synthetic oil can also help if you drive a car that's prone to sludge issues.
Before you decide between the two, you'll need to do some research, starting with your owner's manual to see if there are any specific requirements. Some older cars perform better if you use mineral oil; newer and more high-end cars might need synthetic oil. If the manufacturer says you need to use synthetic oil, you should.
Some companies produce extended-life oils that can stretch the time between oil changes up even further because they resist high-temperature breakdown and keep dirt and dust in suspension for longer. They cost a lot more, and not everyone is convinced that it's worth the extra money.
What Happens If You Go Too Long Without an Oil Change?
Don't be tempted to skip or avoid an oil change. Over time, the oil in your engine undergoes thermal and chemical breakdown because of exposure to high temperatures and contaminants. The oil loses its viscosity and becomes thinner. When the oil thins out, it can't lubricate the engine components, leading to increased friction and wear.
As the engine operates, it produces by-products such as metal particles, dirt, and carbon deposits. The oil is responsible for trapping and suspending these contaminants, preventing them from causing damage to the engine. If you skip oil changes, these contaminants accumulate in the oil, forming sludge or deposits. This sludge can clog passages, restrict oil flow, and hinder the oil's ability to lubricate effectively.
Contaminated oil will lose its smooth and protective properties and become abrasive, which means it can actually contribute to increased wear on engine components, such as pistons, cylinders, and bearings, reducing engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Over time, the combination of thinning oil and contaminated particles circulating in the engine can cause significant damage. Without proper lubrication, the engine experiences increased friction and heat, which can result in excessive wear, decreased power output, and reduced engine lifespan.
How Do I Know When My Oil Needs Changing?
Usually, the first sign that you need to change your oil will be when the oil change light on your dashboard lights up. This means that there isn't enough oil in the system, so it's time to check things out right away. Similarly, if your engine is making knocking noises, that's a sign that the oil between the moving components in your engine isn't working. You might also smell oil inside the car or see visible smoke coming out of your tailpipe.
If none of those signs are present, don't assume your car doesn't need an oil change. Every car and every driver is different, but it's a good idea to change your oil based on the mileage or timing your manufacturer recommends.
As a rule of thumb, set a reminder to change your oil every three months if you have an older car and every six months if you have a newer one.
Remember that regular oil changes are essential to maintain optimal engine health and performance. By sticking to the recommended oil change intervals specified by the vehicle manufacturer, you'll ensure that fresh, clean oil is constantly circulating through the engine. Regular oil changes help to prevent excessive wear, maintain fuel efficiency, and extend the life of your engine.
