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- Written By: Tricia Ellis-Christensen
- Edited By: O. Wallace
- Last Modified Date: 22 December 2011
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
How often you need to change your oil really depends on a number of factors. The type of oil you use and how you drive your car both affect how frequently you should perform this particular maintenance task. Traditionally, the recommendation was that vehicles required an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles (about 5,000 km); however, improved oil and engine technology means that most drivers don't need to change their oil more than every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (about 8,000 to 12,000 km) at least.
Many newer vehicles have manufacturer recommendations that suggest you get an oil change every 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Others stick to the older rule, and still recommend one every 3,000 miles (about 5,000 km) or every three months. For most drivers, many experts say such frequent oil changes really aren't necessary, and that it's a waste of time and resources, since the used oil must be disposed of properly.
In fact, in countries like the UK, there are few oil change quick stops, and some claim they have never changed the oil in their car. Their cars often continue to run without significant problems. Most people who observe oil change recommendations in the US note their cars seem to run with greater efficiency after a change; however, there is some suggestion that this may be more perception than reality.
In some cases, companies offer leases or loans on new automobiles with service agreements that allow the owner to have the oil changed and have routine check-ups and tune-ups done for free. Additionally, a leased car agreement may specify that one must abide by normal servicing requirements. It may be necessary to prove you have serviced the car and had an oil change every 3,000 miles (about 5,000 km) to avoid paying additional fees.
The best bet when considering the frequency rate of the oil change is to consult the manufacturing recommendations in your car's manual. If you have purchased an older vehicle without a manual, you can either order a manual from the manufacturer, or check online to read recommendations. Many believe that observing the oil change rule extends the life of the car.
Further, many mechanics also run a quick diagnostic check on the car during an oil change and may alert the owner to potential problems. It is usually far better to be aware of a problem that needs repair than to be surprised by the car suddenly not working properly, or not working at all. Awareness of a potential problem can also help you to schedule repairs in a timely fashion.
An oil change is usually a relatively painless and inexpensive procedure. There are numerous "quick" oil change stations that specialize in the no-appointment, fast-food like oil change, and even on a busy day, getting an oil change may only take half an hour. The cost is normally fairly low, depending upon the type of vehicle one drives. Vans, SUVs and large trucks, tend to be more expensive because there is more oil to replace.
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StevenD
Post 15 |
They used to say you need to have an oil change every 3,000 miles you travel. Nowadays, most mechanics will inform you that it is overkill. But regular oil changes are still crucial, and need not be done by an expensive professional. It's a fairly simple job, and much more cheaply done in your house. |
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anon173845
Post 14 |
i live in the uk and most cars here don't need an oil change until 20,000 miles. |
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anon148950
Post 13 |
the people who post about changing the oil with Amsoil and any other high mileage oil change interval oils need to get with reality. there is physics involved; like sludge does not lubricate. and that is exactly what Amsoil does in an engine. i have been working on cars for 18 years. i have sent in many oil samples from multiple cars and oils. with all petroleum oils you have to change it every 3k or major engine failure will happen (some people get lucky). amsoil; yes even the SSO series, can go no longer than 8k. i have sampled one recently on a 08 honda civic si and it had 9500 miles. there was a lot of metal and the viscosity was down. it showed it should have been changed 2k miles ago at least. he drove slow and on the highway mostly. and anyone who thinks synthetic motor oil is environmentally safe is delusional. nothing synthetic is even remotely good for the environment. the only oil that is environment safe is G-OIL. it also comes from a renewable source, it tested better than amsoil, mobil 1, and cost less (by a lot). G-OIL is the first oil i have ever seen that does not sludge up. all petroleum and synthetic oils will go back to their original form sludge. G-OIL comes from animal fat, which is a natural lubricant. so it never goes to sludge, it only loses its additive. so you still have to change it before 10k. anyone who thinks the indicator on the dash can really analyze oil, also needs to get checked. if we have to send oil off to a lab and wait a week to find out, then your $20k car isn't going to be correct. also vehicles have changed their gas mileage standard since the 70s and they still have the same operating temp, and since those are some of the major factors in how far between oil changes, i would say that 3k for regular and synthetic oil is what you should do. then if you use amsoil 5k-8k if you drive on the hwy. and G-OIL can get 5k-8k also, but at a better price, renewable source, no petroleum, grown and made in the USA, and it will not harm the earth. it biodegrades 90 percent in nine days (in the ground). |
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anon110710
Post 12 |
From Logikal1: Your information is way out of date! 3 thousand is only recommended by those making money off oil changes and wastes huge amounts of oil, time and money. Next year, JiffyLube plans to stop telling customers 3,000 miles and is going by the vehicle make, model, year and how one drives. Bet they raise prices to compensate! For absolute facts on your car and when to change oil (plus any problems you have but don't know of) do what I did. Write to Blackstone Laboratories in Fort Wayne, Ind., one of the best-known places for engine oil analysis and get a free kit. You send back a small oil sample and for $25, they’ll tell you all sorts of things about your car, including how often to change the oil and filter. Also, keep track of your driving. If average trips are under 15 minutes/eight miles, that's severe driving, so change oil at 5,000. If trips are 20 minutes-plus, that's light and you can safely go up to 10,000 between changes and filters.(The hotter an engine runs the better the filter works and the cleaner the oil gets). My cars would routinely go over 200,000 before I got new ones: now I've decided short of a major accident I'm keeping my cars forever. They're paid off so why waste money making dealers rich? They have 100 percent/10 year warranties anyway and I can buy repair warranties to extend those. I added a $62 water4gas system (took 30 min to install) and get 54mpg-plus now burning water and have way fewer emissions. My oil tests clean to 20,000 miles! It doesn't void the warranty, either! Your site needs to get with the modern technology. |
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anon103880
Post 11 |
going every 15,000 miles on an oil change on amsoil is crap. i have more people coming in for oil changes using that oil and are switching because it's not true. |
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anon78916
Post 9 |
I use to go 3,000 miles between oil changes until about nine years ago, then I changed my oil in my suburban to Amsoil. At that time I could go 15,000 miles but as of two years ago they had a third party develop their own Amsoil filters which are good for up to 25,000 miles with all of Amsoil's products (does not include the XL series though). There is one oil 0w30 (SSO series) which is good for 35,000 miles between oil changes but remember the oil filter is only good for 25,000. I first wondered how they could do this, but after seeing the plant up in Superior WI, It helped me understand the thought process and technology they are at. They stand behind their products 100 percent, because if you have a malfunction because of bad oil, they will replace/fix the motor/drive train for you. Certain rules apply. This oil does cost more but when you look at the cost factor, you save money in the long run. On the lubrication market they were at 2 percent for years but new vehicles are requiring a better grade oil and some are even listing Amsoil as one of them (they were listed as 5 percent on the oil market earlier this year). Be careful when you see synthetic oil listed on a bottle, and look at where it is manufactured because my terminology of synthetic is much diff. than our government's terminology. European cars have had a longer range of oil changes for years, and it is about time the US gets on the same page. |
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anon48712
Post 8 |
My new car also does the continuous test. Over the last 1000 miles the "oil life" indicator only dropped from 71 percent down to 65 percent. Probably about 30-40 percent I will switch it out to amsoil with the better filter as well. I think 3000 miles is hyped to make more money. |
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anon41050
Post 7 |
does an eletric car need the oil changed the same as gasoline engine car? |
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anon39298
Post 6 |
i had my engine rebuilt, do i really need to change my oil after 500 miles? |
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anon35625
Post 5 |
Now they have the synthetic oil that says 5000 - 10000 miles |
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trish
Post 4 |
If your car is not driven often, maybe once a week. Does it do damage to your oil by sitting undriven. Is this reason to change it more or less often? |
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anon22918
Post 3 |
If I had to change oil every 3000 miles I would have to do it every month or so. as I drive mostly highway, I change it every 10,000 kilometers (8000 miles) or thereabouts. |
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nobreather
Post 2 |
i think that the "3000 mile" suggestion made sense many years ago, but with most recent cars, 5000 miles is probably plenty.
many new cars have a technology where the car actually tells the driver when to change the oil. some of these devices are just connected to the odometer and indicate when a certain number of miles have been driven. but, some of these actually test the oil, and indicate when you really need to change the oil. ini some cases, this can be as much as 12,000 miles!
also, i have read about a company that is developing a oil-purifying technology that will push the oli-change interval to 30,000 (thirty thousand) miles! if their product ever comes to fruition, imagine the impact this would have on the oil-change industry. |
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somerset
Post 1 |
I have the oil changed in my car every three months or 3000 miles. It might be too often, and possibly not necessary, but it gives me a sense of comfort in knowing that all the fluids are checked and replaced or added if needed. It might be more for my peace of mind than anything else. |
