The frequency of oil changes depends on several factors including your vehicle's age, type of oil used, driving conditions, and manufacturer recommendations. Here is a detailed overview:
- General guideline: Most experts now recommend changing oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, a shift from the old standard of every 3,000 miles
- Modern cars with synthetic oil: If your car uses full-synthetic motor oil, oil changes can often extend up to 10,000 to 15,000 miles or about every 6 to 12 months
- Older cars or severe driving conditions: For older vehicles or if you drive under severe conditions such as frequent short trips, extreme temperatures, stop-and-go traffic, towing, or dusty roads, oil changes should be more frequent-around every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every 6 months
- Oil-life monitoring systems: Many newer cars have oil-life monitoring systems that alert you when an oil change is needed based on actual driving conditions, which can optimize the interval
- Manufacturer's recommendations: Always check your owner's manual for specific oil change intervals and oil type recommendations, as these are tailored to your vehicle's engine design and warranty requirements
- Oil filter changes: The oil filter may need changing at every oil change or at different intervals depending on the filter type, so consult your manual
- If you drive little: Even if you don't reach mileage thresholds, most manufacturers recommend changing oil at least once a year to prevent degradation
In summary, a typical modern recommendation is to change oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or every 6 to 12 months, but this can vary widely based on your vehicle and driving habits. Following your car’s manual and using oil-life monitors where available will provide the best guidance.
