How Often Should I Get an Oil Change?
Most vehicles today need to have the oil changed in intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but some cars can go as far as 15,000.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
How often you need to change your oil depends on the vehicle you drive. Older vehicles came with recommendations to change the oil every 3,000 miles driven, but according to AAA, the average oil change interval for newer vehicles is 7,500 miles.
Changing your engine oil is one of the most important aspects of regular car care—your engine cannot function properly without adequate lubrication. Old, dirty oil will reduce your engine’s efficiency and cause more wear and tear, so it’s imperative that you keep a consistent oil change schedule.
A few factors will affect that schedule. So
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How often should you get an oil change?
Your owner’s manual should include information on recommended oil change intervals and preferred oil types. It’s also possible that your dealership will include oil changes in the warranty or maintenance package that they include with the purchase of a new car.
Plus, many newer vehicles have monitoring systems installed designed to keep track of the health of your oil. You’ll often be able to see how much life your oil has left. It’s usually indicated as a percentage.
Ultimately, frequent oil changes won’t harm your engine. You’ll just end up spending more money. But it is important to change your oil before the oil breaks down or becomes contaminated, which can lead to accelerated engine wear.
What impacts oil change intervals?
If you drive an older car that doesn’t have an included maintenance package or oil life monitor, you’ll need to consider a few different factors when determining oil change intervals.
Oil change intervals rely heavily on your driving style and driving conditions. Are you racing your car? Are your commutes short and frequent? Are you driving in extreme weather conditions?
Are you often towing heavy loads? Do you drive on dirty terrain? All of these things and more will impact how often you need to change your oil.
Oil change intervals will also be impacted by what kind of oil you’re using. Full-synthetic and extended-life motor oils will allow for longer intervals between oil changes.
The majority of new cars require the use of synthetic oil. For older vehicles, you will usually have a choice between using conventional or synthetic motor oil.
If you’re not following a dealership-directed maintenance or warranty schedule for your oil changes, it’s up to you to decide when to change your oil. Consult your owner’s manual for oil change frequency recommendations, as well as information on the preferred type of oil to use (if you’re changing it yourself).
Ultimately, you should check your oil at least once per month to make sure it’s still looking healthy.
Here are some telltale signs that your oil needs changing:
- The oil looks dirty. When you check your oil, see if it looks dark and opaque or if it’s nice and translucent. The former is a solid indication that you need new oil.
- The oil feels dirty. You can also feel the oil from the dipstick with your fingers. If it feelsgritty and coarse, that’s a sign that it’s dirty and needs a change.
- You’ve noticed a decline in engine performance. An underperforming engine is often a sign that you need to change your oil, especially if unusual noises or smells are coming from the engine.
Driving with old oil is a bad idea! If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s important to change your oil soon to avoid an inevitable breakdown.
How much does an oil change cost?
The price of an oil change is dependent on several factors, but you can expect it to cost anywhere from $20 to $100. These factors include:
- How much oil you need. Not every vehicle has the same oil capacity!
- What kind of oil you need. You can expect full-synthetic oil to cost more than conventional petroleum-based oil.
- Who changes the oil. Different companies and dealerships will charge different prices for oil changes. Your oil change will be cheaper if you do it yourself!
An oil change for a small car will usually cost around $75 if you’re getting a professional to do it.
Types of motor oil for your car
If you’re driving a newer car, you’ll probably need to use the recommended oil type to avoid voiding your warranty. However, if you’re driving an older vehicle designed to use conventional oil, you can usually decide for yourself what type to use.
There are three main oil types: conventional oil, semi-synthetic oil, and full-synthetic oil.
Conventional oil
Conventional oil is made from mineral oil, which is made by refining crude oil. This is the traditional type of oil and the standard oil used in most older vehicles.
It’s cheaper to produce and cheaper to buy than synthetic oil, but it does contain certain contaminants that are less prominent in synthetic oils. Conventional oil will not last as long as synthetic oil, either—so it follows the adage “you get what you pay for.”
Remember, you can’t use conventional oil in a vehicle that was designed to run on synthetic oil, but you can use synthetic oil in a vehicle that was designed to run on conventional oil.
Full synthetic oil
Full synthetic motor oil is derived through synthesis, which is a fancy word that refers to the process of making something artificially. However, the base material used to make synthetic oil is almost always crude oil.
Ultimately, the term “full synthetic” does not refer to any measurable level of purity, and it is generally a term used to market synthetic oil products. To make synthetic oil, crude oil is distilled and modified via special chemical processes that are often kept secret by manufacturers.
Because it is being chemically altered from its original state, synthetic oil can be optimized to work better than conventional oil. It has been shown to improve fuel efficiency, last longer, and perform better in extreme temperatures.
Semi-synthetic oil
Semi-synthetic,part synthetic, or synthetic blend oil combines synthetic and conventional oil. The additives from the synthetic portion will provide similar benefits as full synthetic oil, while diluting it with conventional oil allows it to be sold at a lower price.
Tips for a DIY oil change
Changing your own oil and filter is a great way to save money, but you want to make sure that you do it correctly! The key is to make sure that you have the right amount and the right viscosity of oil for your specific vehicle.
You should also replace your oil filter whenever you change your oil. To perform your own oil change, you’ll need to fully drain your old oil, recycle it properly, make sure to replace the drain plug, tighten it the right amount, and pour your fresh oil into the oil reservoir under the hood.
Always make sure to check your oil levels with your dipstick once you’re done!
How to optimize your car insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversShould you get an oil change every 6 months?
Not necessarily. Changing your oil every 6 months is a fair estimate, but it doesn’t take into account how often and how far you drive your car. Someone who commutes for an hour every day will have to change their oil sooner than someone who uses their car less often for pleasure-related purposes.
Can motor oil last a year?
Yes. Most engine oils have a shelf life of about five years, but you’ll likely have to change your oil at least once per year if you’re consistently driving your car during that time.
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