How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Changing Your Oil Is Important

Changing your oil on a regular basis is the most important routine vehicle service, no matter how new or old your vehicle may be. Think of motor oil as the lifeblood of your vehicle’s performance; properly lubricated parts working in conjunction with each other sustain the life of your engine. Without oil, you’re only going to get so far.

As such, properly scheduled oil changes play a crucial role in your car’s lifespan. There are numerous benefits to maintaining oil efficiency, and we’ve laid out a handful of the ones we consider to be the most important:

• Longer engine life. Engine lubrication is the name of the game when you want to keep your car on the road without a hitch. Regularly scheduled oil changes sustain your car’s ability to perform with precision.
• Keeps your motor clean. Simply put, oil gets dirty the longer you drive. This gunk can build up over time and potentially leave particles floating about under the hood. Replacing the oil prevents dirt from building up!
• Protects other engine systems. The intricacies of your car’s engine are bountiful, which is why key components, like the crank shaft and connecting rods, benefit from an oil change in order to run properly.

When Is the Right Time to Change My Oil?

While regularly scheduled oil changes are vital for maintaining the longevity of your vehicle, the question is, “When should I change my oil?”

You may have heard the notion from your uncle, or even your best friend, that every 3,000 miles is the best time to change your oil. However, every car is built differently—so that means oil change intervals vary!

Nowadays, there are four main intervals for oil changes that are based on factors specific to you and your car. These intervals are:

• Every 1,000 miles (or every six months)
• Every 3,000 miles
• Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles
• Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles

Which one should you consider? The answer to that question depends on how many miles you drive per day and other factors. For example, if you drive around 10 miles a day or less, the 3,000-mile checkpoint may be better suited for you since you’re driving more infrequently, thus making room for oil to break down faster.

Since vehicles are evolving with technological enhancements each year, the need for oil changes every 5,000 to 7,500 miles is becoming more common. If you drive with mostly steady speeds for around 20 minutes or so a day, changing the oil at this rate is preferred over every 1,000 or 3,000 miles.