How Often Should You Change Your Engine Oil?
2 Answers
Here are the methods to determine how often you should change your engine oil: 1. If using fully synthetic oil, it can be changed every 10,000 kilometers; 2. If using mineral oil, it can be changed every 5,000 kilometers or 6 months; 3. If using semi-synthetic oil, it can be changed every 7,500 kilometers or within 6 months; 4. If you are unsure about the type of oil, you can visit a 4S shop and change it according to the car's maintenance mileage. Here are the ways to determine the oil change interval: 1. Change based on the vehicle's mileage: This can be done according to the car manufacturer's requirements (user manual), so it's relatively reliable. Just change the oil when or before the specified mileage is reached. 2. Change based on time: Some car owners don't drive frequently, and sometimes the mileage may not reach the specified interval. In such cases, time can be used as the measurement standard.
The oil change interval really varies by car. For my regular family car, the manual recommends changing it every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers, but it depends on driving conditions. For example, frequent short city trips with lots of cold starts lead to faster carbon buildup, so it's better to change more often, like every 5,000 km. Synthetic oil lasts longer and can stretch to 10,000 km or a year. I regularly check my oil—if it's dark or low, I change it immediately to avoid small issues becoming big ones. Also, don’t just focus on mileage; time matters too—if it’s been over six months without hitting the mileage, the oil should still be replaced as it degrades over time. Overall, discussing your driving habits with a mechanic is the best approach.
