How often should engine oil be changed if the car is not driven frequently?
2 Answers
For cars that are not driven frequently, the engine oil change interval depends on the type of oil used: 1. Full synthetic oil should be changed every 10,000 kilometers or approximately 1 year; 2. Semi-synthetic oil should be changed every 7,500 kilometers or approximately 6 months; 3. Mineral oil should be changed every 5,000 kilometers or approximately 3 months. The functions of engine oil are: 1. To reduce friction and high temperatures; 2. To minimize gas leakage and prevent contamination from external pollutants; 3. To prevent contact between water, air, acidic harmful gases, and engine components; 4. To cushion the pressure rise in the engine cylinder ports; 5. To clean away dirt generated on the surfaces of engine components.
I usually only drive this car on weekends, and I specifically asked the mechanic about this during the last maintenance. He said that even if the mileage hasn't been reached, you should consider changing the oil after about six months, especially if you frequently take short trips. The shelf life of engine oil is only about six months after opening, and long-term parking can cause condensation and oxidation, which affects lubrication. Now, I change to full synthetic oil once a year. Although it's more expensive, it has strong cleaning properties, so I don’t have to worry about long parking periods like around the Spring Festival. I also make sure to warm up the car occasionally to circulate the oil, which is good for the engine.
