Does engine oil need to be changed every 6 months?
2 Answers
Whether engine oil needs to be changed after six months depends on the type of oil. Mineral oil generally needs to be replaced every 6 months, while semi-synthetic oil has a service life of 9 months. For fully synthetic oil, it can last up to one year. Here are methods to determine if engine oil needs to be changed: 1. Observe with an oil test paper: Take a small amount of oil from the dipstick and drop it onto the oil test paper, then let it sit overnight, waiting for the oil to fully spread on the paper. The sharper the edges between the oil ring, sediment ring, and diffusion ring, the more the oil performance has degraded. 2. Judge based on driving feel after an oil change: Engine oil performance has a 'shelf life.' When acceleration slows down, it indicates that the oil has expired and needs to be replaced.
I used to be constantly reminded by service stations to change the oil every 6 months, thinking it was an absolute rule. But after driving for over a decade, I've learned it's not that rigid. The key to oil change frequency lies in your actual driving conditions: If your car racks up miles quickly with daily city commutes of dozens of kilometers, changing every 5,000 to 8,000 km is sufficient—no need to be bound by time. However, for someone like me who only drives short distances on weekends, oil degrades and oxidizes over time, making the time factor more critical. I also check the dipstick for oil color and viscosity—only changing when it turns black or thins out, avoiding unnecessary expenses. Seasons play a role too: summer heat accelerates oil breakdown, while winter starts increase engine wear. The best practice is to consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturer-recommended intervals. Regular maintenance prevents carbon buildup or engine failures; otherwise, small issues snowball into costly repairs. Keep this in mind to save both money and hassle.
