How Many Kilometers Should You Change Your Car Engine Oil?
2 Answers
Engine oil change intervals are as follows: 1. Time and mileage, whichever comes first. Conventional oil: 3-4 months. Full synthetic oil: 6-9 months. Mileage: Conventional oil: 5,000 km (4,000 km for daily traffic jams or dusty/hot/cold areas). Semi-synthetic oil: 7,500 km (6,000 km for daily traffic jams or dusty/hot/cold areas). Full synthetic oil: 10,000 km (8,000 km for daily traffic jams or dusty/hot/cold areas). 2. Long-distance driving vehicles (no traffic jams, constant speed). Conventional oil: 5,000 km. Semi-synthetic: 7,500-10,000 km. Full synthetic: 10,000-15,000 km. 3. The first oil change for a new car should follow the manual's requirements. Some brands require the first change within 2 months or 3,000 km, while others require within 6 months or 7,500 km. The first batch of oil contains many metal particles, which are very harmful to sealing components, especially for turbocharged models, causing significant damage to turbo shaft seals. 4. For the second oil change after the first service, try to keep it within 5,000-8,000 km, again due to the high metal particle content in the oil. Starting from the third change, you can follow the mileage intervals mentioned above.
Having driven for most of my life, the oil change interval is truly not fixed. Old experience tells me that for regular private cars frequently making short trips in the city, oil should be changed every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers. If highway driving is more common, it can stretch to 10,000 kilometers. The key is to check the owner’s manual—different cars have different requirements. Modern cars using synthetic oil can go longer between changes, but never neglect checking the oil level. I make it a habit to pull out the dipstick monthly to check if the oil is clear; darkening or impurities are warning signs. Most engine wear starts with poor oil quality—saving a little here might lead to major repair costs later. It’s more cost-effective to replace the oil filter during maintenance. Driving conditions matter greatly—hot weather or dusty environments demand more frequent changes. I once saw a neighbor neglect oil changes and end up with a seized engine, costing tens of thousands in repairs—regret came too late. Regular oil changes extend engine life, saving money and ensuring peace of mind.
