The recommended oil change mileage intervals depend on the type of oil, vehicle, and driving habits. Here are the main guidelines:
- Conventional oil: typically every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
- Synthetic oil: usually every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or more.
- Some cars can go up to 10,000 to 15,000 miles for an oil change with synthetic oil.
- Oil should be changed at least every 6 months regardless of miles driven.
- Oil and oil filter changes usually go together, with the filter sometimes needing more frequent replacement depending on the car.
For those who want to keep a car for many years, changing oil every 3,000 miles is recommended to maintain optimal engine health. For average drivers using synthetic oil, 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes is common. Newer cars often have oil-life monitoring systems that notify the driver when an oil change is due, which may extend intervals beyond traditional mileage recommendations.
In summary, the best practice is to follow the vehicle’s owner's manual and consider synthetic oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles under normal driving conditions, while more frequent changes (around 3,000 to 5,000 miles) may be needed in severe driving conditions or with conventional oil.
