How Many Kilometers to Change Engine Oil?
4 Answers
Under normal circumstances, conventional engine oil should be changed approximately every 5,000 kilometers; semi-synthetic oil should be changed around 7,500 kilometers; and full-synthetic oil should be changed around 10,000 kilometers. Here is some relevant information about engine oil: 1. Definition: Engine oil, also known as motor lubricant, serves functions such as lubrication and wear reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion protection, and shock absorption for the engine. 2. Composition: Engine oil consists of two main components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the primary constituent of the lubricant, determining its fundamental properties. Additives compensate for and improve any deficiencies in the base oil's performance, while also imparting new characteristics, making them an essential part of the lubricant.
Just talked about this in the neighborhood car group chat. My old buddy always reminds me to change the oil during every maintenance. Simply put, most cars need an oil change every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers, but it really depends on the situation. Last time, I used full synthetic oil and drove 9,000 kilometers before changing it. The mechanic said the oil sample was still quite clean. Cars that mostly do short trips should change oil earlier since the engine doesn’t fully warm up, leading to carbon buildup. Turbocharged cars need even more frequent changes because high temperatures wear out the oil faster. Remember to pull out the dipstick occasionally to check the color—if it’s as black as soy sauce, it’s time to schedule maintenance. Forgot to mention, if you’ve just bought a new car, don’t fall for the dealership’s early maintenance upsell. Always check the owner’s manual first—it’s the most reliable source.
The oil change intervals for the three cars in my household are all different. The rule of thumb is to consider two factors: oil type and driving habits. For older cars using mineral oil, around 5,000 kilometers is appropriate, semi-synthetic can last up to 7,500 km, and the full synthetic oil I use for my new car can easily go 8,000-10,000 km. I tend to extend the interval slightly when I do more highway driving, but shorten it by about 1,000 km for city driving with frequent traffic jams. Here's a little trick: after maintenance, stick a note on the steering wheel to record the mileage—it's more accurate than relying on dashboard reminders. Last week, my neighbor ignored this advice and pushed it to 12,000 km, only to end up with an engine sounding like a tractor, costing over 4,000 yuan in repairs.
After seeing too many repair shops, I just want to say there's no one-size-fits-all answer to oil change intervals. Regular sedan manuals suggest 7,500 miles, but a pickup truck running construction sites daily needs changes at 5,000. I've seen ride-hailing drivers using full synthetic oil stretch it to 20,000 miles—only to find sludge all over the oil pan. The key is self-inspection: Pull the dipstick when the engine's cold; if the oil edge shows debris or the viscosity resembles honey, change it immediately. Switching to low-viscosity 0W or 5W oil in winter saves fuel. Remember, skimping on oil changes now means engine repairs later that could cost ten cases of oil.
