How Often Should You Change Your Oil In A Newer Car
If your car is only a few years old, you can almost certainly start getting less frequent oil changes. After all, many newer cars let you know when to get your next oil change, since the system takes into consideration how you drive the vehicle and what shape all the other parts are in. So you can count on your dashboard notifications to be pretty accurate about when you should change your oil. If your car doesnt have this capability but is less than ten years old, check your owners manual to find out the oil change recommendation. Youll likely find you only have to change it about every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
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 oils 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 , all vehicles can benefit from the use of synthetic oil.
The Final Word On How Often To Change The Oil On A Car Not Driven For Awhile
The age-old question that keeps mechanics up late at night: how often to change the oil in a car when not driven
No more nightmares! The facts are clear.
It is better to have a friend or family member drive your car every week than it is to prepare the car for long-term storage.
Oil sitting in the engine of an unused car is most likely okay for six months. After that, it isnt.
If the car is too old for this debate, it might be time to send it to the junkyard.
In the end, oil, oil changes, and car storage are certainly complicated topics. If you are looking for definitive answers, your best bet is to refer to the cars owner manual and follow all factory specifications.
Don’t Miss: How To Negotiate A New Car
What Happens If I Drive A Car With Old Oil That Needs To Be Changed Often
Oil needs to be changed more regularly if the car is under certain stress this would affect how often to change the car oil when driven.
Older cars are more vulnerable to engine damage due to aged oil. Vehicles that carry heavy loads, drive in extreme temperatures , and operate for mostly trips of a distance less than five miles need some extra oil change love.
If your car falls into these categories, you should be more assertive in how often you change the car oil.
Q How Long Can I Go Without An Oil Change
A: Trust us, weve been in the position where life gets so hectic and busy you completely miss your scheduled oil change. And itll be weeks until youre able to do it yourself or have a professional do it for you. Thankfully, manufacturers engineer a little wiggle room into oil chemistry, and your oil wont immediately go bad once the odometer clicks past your scheduled change. Especially if your car uses modern fully synthetic oils. Just dont go too long
Don’t Miss: How To Disconnect A Car Battery
Should I Choose Synthetic Or Conventional Oil
The decision to choose conventional or synthetic oil may depend on your budget. Conventional oil is cheaper than synthetic oil, but synthetic is known to last longer. Its also known to provide benefits for your vehicle due to the lack of impurities found in the structure. Its more consistent compared to conventional oil.
According to Hot Rod Magazine, when the conventional oil was swapped out of a 2006 Dodge Charger with a 5.7L Hemi, it resulted in a gain of 1 mile per gallon for gas mileage, along with a gain of 4.4 horsepower.
With synthetic oil, you also get more time between oil changes. Some oil manufactures say you have as many as 15,000 miles before you have to change the oil. Compared to the maximum found with conventional oil at 5,000 miles, you get three times as long.
Sign Up To Get Great Deals For Cars
Years ago, the old rule of thumb was to follow an oil change frequency of every 3,000 miles for maximum engine longevity.
Although there may have been some truth to that saying at the time, now that isn’t the case.
Today’s advanced fuel-injected engines, state-of-the-art oil formulations and additives, and manufacturer recommendations typically allow for extended time between oil changes, so you don’t have to keep visiting a service center or getting your hands dirty.
But even with newer cars featuring high technology and extended service intervals, how far can you drive between oil changes? What’s the difference between conventional and synthetic oil?
Let’s explore the subject of motor oil life and the type of oil you need for your car.
Also Check: Is My Car Under Warranty
How Often Should I Change My Oil
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. Its inconvenient on the one hand but necessary on the other.
Todays 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 theres another factor: the addition of oil-use monitoring systems in more than half of todays new cars that will give you a heads-up when its 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.
Where To Get An Oil Change
To keep your vehicle in good health, you should be completing regular oil changes or having them completed for you by a professional. If you see a professional for your vehicle care, a seasoned expert will provide you with a sticker indicating when you should next get your oil changed based on the date or the mileage your vehicle reaches. Expert care can save you the time and trouble of changing your oil, taking the pain out of these needed services.
Chapel Hill Tire has eight locations in the Triangle for drivers in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham, and Carrboro. Find a location near you for an affordable oil change today!
Recommended Reading: How To Draw A Cartoon Car
What Will Happen If You Dont Change Your Synthetic Oil Or Wait Too Long To Do So
Even though synthetic oil is known to be superior in almost every way to conventional oil, it is still car oil, and will eventually break down with use and time.
So, this means that you still have to change the synthetic motor oil in your vehicle. Not doing so could result in severe engine damage or engine failure.
As oil breaks down, it becomes dirty and thin and will not provide appropriate lubrication for all engine components. This will cause overheating due to increased friction of moving parts.
Premature wear of engine components, seal and gasket failure, and eventual engine seizing could occur in the worst case scenarios.
How Do I Know When My Oil Needs Changing
Typically, follow the mileage and time intervals listed by your vehicle’s manufacturer. But this can vary, depending on the severity of your driving. As detailed above, shorter trips, track time, and dusty roads can cause your oil to break down faster and need to be changed earlier.
Some vehicles have instrument-cluster information screens that will read out remaining oil life as a percentage. If you don’t have this feature, follow along with the sticker from the oil-change place or keep track of mileage on your own. Don’t forget to check your oil via the dipstick at least once a month.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Decal From Car Window
When To Change The Oil
The answer to a lot of these questions is the same: Check your owners manual. It should be your car maintenance and operation bible. Dont make assumptions on the interval based on past experiences or guidance from mechanics who profit from the work, because the timing has evolved over the years.
Many cars, pickups, and SUVs now have service reminder monitors that alert drivers when to change their oil. These systems typically monitor the number of miles a vehicle has traveled, and they also sense how hard the car is being driven, and adjust accordingly, Ibbotson says.
Make sure you get your oil change soon after you receive such an alert.
Why You Change Your Oil
Lets remind ourselves why we change the oil in our car in the first place. Oil performs several different functions: Most notably, its a lubricant that reduces the friction between the moving components of your engine when they rub together.
Oil is also an absorber that draws in water and contaminant by-products of the combustion process, which helps protect your vehicles engine. Over time, the high temperatures in your engine will break down the oil, making it less effective as a lubricant, and it will become saturated with contaminants, so it will not be able to absorb any more.
At this point, oil cant do its job, and the other components of your engine will begin to suffer heightened wear and tear. Thats why its essential to drain the old oil and replace it with fresh, new lubricant.
The old, conventional, but often still-followed advice was to change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles or so. It was believed that this would keep your car in peak operating condition.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Salt Stains From Car Carpet
How To Change Synthetic Oil
Youll only need a couple of specialized tools to change your vehicle oil, so if youre at least a bit handy, youll be able to do it in no time.
- Oil filter
- Synthetic oil
You will need a space where you can work, so a garage or a driveway would be useful in this situation. The replacement process is simple if you follow these steps:
- Remove the oil cap from your engine, and place the oil drain pan underneath so that you can drain the current oil in your car
- Remove the drain plug and extract the oil to the oil drain pan
- Once theres no more oil, reattach the oil drain plug and tighten it well.
- Remove the current oil filter and replace it with a new one
- Use the funnel to pour new oil into the opening under the oil cap
- Replace the cap and then start your engine
- Check the oil level by using a dipstick and add more oil if necessary
How To Check Your Car’s Engine Oil
A 1-minute DIY task can keep your car healthy and running smoothly
Think of motor oil as the lifes blood of your cars engine. Checking it on a regular basis is a key part of keeping your engine running well and getting the most miles out of it. The oil lubricates the engines internal moving parts, keeping them from wearing too quickly. It also helps keep the engine clean, by preventing dirt buildup, and helps keep it from overheating.
Checking the oil level is a quick, easy job that we recommend you do at every other gas fill-up. All youll need is a rag or paper towel, and your cars owners manual if you have questions.
If you havent been driving the car, you may need an oil change: Oil lasts about six months before it needs to be changed, whether you run the engine or not.
More car maintenance and repair tips from Consumer Reports.
Also Check: How To Build A Mousetrap Car
How Often Should You Change The Oil In Your Car
Many car owners struggle to find out when they should bring their car in for an oil change. You do not want to come back too often, but waiting too long can cause issues for your vehicle. Back in the day, cars would get oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, new technology and types of oil have changed the length of time. If you are wondering how long to wait for an oil change, Fast Freddys Car Wash recommends you consider these three factors:
Consider How You Drive Your Car
While most people can now change their oil less frequently than before, there are some drivers who should continue the old schedule of changing it about every 3,000 miles. If your driving conditions are harsh, your car will need more maintenance. So if you take lots of short rides, such as five miles or less, youre putting more strain on your car than if you took longer rides. Also, if you drive in extremely hot or cold weather a lot, or if your area is very dusty or salty, your car might need some extra care. And if you tow a trailer or transport heavy items often, frequent oil changes would be helpful. However, if youre the typical commuter who drives on the freeway every day for dozens of miles in mild weather, you probably dont have to change your oil every 3,000 miles.
Regardless of how often you should change your oil, make sure you check it regularly to find out if you need to top it off. Even if you dont have to change it often, it might still be a little low between oil changes, so check your oil at least once a month. You want to make sure you dont have an oil leak or other car problems!
Don’t Miss: How Often To Replace Car Air Filter
How Often Should You Change Oil
Like choosing tires, gasoline, or replacement parts, you should follow your manufacturer’s recommendation for oil change intervals.
The first place to check is your owner’s manual, where you’ll find the maintenance schedule for when to change oil. Today, manufacturers typically recommend extended intervals compared to past ones, with some going for 7,500 or 10,000 miles or 6 to 12 months.
Some modern cars have electronic monitors that sound an alert when it’s time to change oil. These monitors pay attention to miles driven and engine loads and suggest service intervals accordingly. If you receive a warning from one of these systems, it’s wise to change the oil quickly.
If your make and model of vehicle recommends an extended oil change interval, there’s no benefit to doing so earlier, like at 3,000 miles. And with less frequent oil changes, you also keep necessary funds in your bank account for other important obligations.
Those who don’t drive a lot should still change oil regularly because short trips where the engine doesn’t warm up can form condensation, which lessens engine longevity.
And aside from paying attention to miles driven, oil degrades over time, so paying close attention to the suggestions in your owner’s manual keeps your engine well-protected for mile after mile.
Legal notes
All prices are based on vehicle availability and pricing as of
Pricing shown is not guaranteed and does not include taxes or other product fees.
When To Check Your Oil
Your engine’s dipstick lets you know the oil level and whether or not you need to top it off.
In between changes, it’s essential to keep a good supply of oil in your engine for proper lubrication and optimal fuel economy.
Indicator lines on the dipstick tell you whether you need to add oil or whether it’s at its maximum capacity, along with everything in between.
But on some newer vehicles, you might have an electronic oil monitor that makes the job easier.
A good practice to follow is checking your engine oil once a month. Before you do, ensure your vehicle’s parked on a level surface. With the engine turned off, open the hood and remove the dipstick, wiping off any excess oil.
Then re-insert the dipstick, remove it, and check the reading. Most dipsticks indicate the oil level with an L or an H, Min or Max, crosshatching, or pinholes.
If you see a low reading, it’s time to add some oil. Adding oil and re-checking the dipstick until it’s at the proper level helps ensure your engine has enough to run its best. And be sure not to overfill your oil tank because that could lead to a decrease in performance or even engine damage.
You May Like: Where Can I Post My Car For Sale For Free
Miles Is Possible For Some Oils
Depending on which type is being used, you may be able to go 10,000 miles before changing your synthetic oil.
Not every synthetic oil brand recommends this when using their product, but not every oil is made the same way, either.
A high-grade synthetic oil will most likely be able to go for longer distances before changes due to the advanced chemical makeup and additives with which it is manufactured.
