Is it okay to change engine oil once a year?
2 Answers
If the vehicle owner drives relatively few kilometers in a year, they can choose to change the engine oil once a year; if they drive more kilometers in a year, it is recommended to change the oil twice a year to ensure the normal operation and internal cleanliness of the engine. Below are some precautions for changing car engine oil: 1. Topping up oil without changing it: Simply adding oil without changing it only brings the oil quantity to a standard level but does not fully restore the oil's performance. In other words, adding new oil to oil that has already been used for some time does not return the oil to its optimal performance. Just topping up oil without changing it is not sufficient. Some cars consume oil more quickly, and topping up can only serve as a short-term engine maintenance method. Once the oil reaches the end of its lifecycle, it must be completely replaced with fresh oil. 2. Do not mix two different brands of engine oil: Engine oils in cars are essentially base oils with different additives. The base oils are the same, but the types and quantities of additives vary, resulting in different oil varieties and grades. If different oils are mixed, these additives may undergo chemical reactions, damaging the original performance of the oil. Therefore, mixing different oils is not recommended.
I've been driving for over ten years and I really don't think changing engine oil once a year is good enough. Engine oil is like the blood of a car - if you don't change it for too long, it gets dirty and thick, reducing its lubrication effectiveness. I prefer following the maintenance manual's recommendations. For example, my SUV suggests changing oil every six months or 8,000 kilometers. If using full synthetic oil, it might last a year, but it depends on driving conditions: frequent short trips in traffic accelerate oil degradation, while more highway driving causes less wear. I once neglected it for a year and a half, and ended up with louder engine noise and increased fuel consumption. Oil changes aren't expensive - just a few hundred yuan each time - much cheaper than major engine repairs. Regularly check the dipstick to keep the oil clear, and don't wait until the warning light comes on. Safety comes first, and maintaining good car condition ensures stable driving.
