Can Mineral Oil Be Used for a Year?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, the replacement cycle for mineral oil is 5,000 kilometers or six months. It is recommended that car owners perform vehicle maintenance and change the oil in advance to better protect the engine. Below is relevant information about engine oil: 1. Classification: Engine oil is divided into three types: full synthetic oil, semi-synthetic oil, and mineral oil. 2. Mineral Oil: The base oil of mineral oil is refined from petroleum, with irregular molecular sizes and shapes. It is the lowest grade among engine oil classifications, and its performance characteristics and service life are inferior to those of semi-synthetic and full synthetic oils.
Last time I tried using mineral oil for a whole year in my old Volkswagen Santana, commuting daily to work. By the end of the year during inspection, the oil had turned thick and black like syrup, and the engine sounded unusually harsh—it almost cost me thousands in major repairs. Mineral oil simply isn't as durable as synthetic oil; it oxidizes and accumulates impurities much faster, especially under summer heat or constant traffic jams, which accelerates aging. So based on my experience, for regular driving, never push it to a year—it's best to change it every 5,000 kilometers or six months. Fresh oil also helps the engine run smoother.
