When is the best time to change engine oil in winter?
2 Answers
Winter The best time to change engine oil is at the end of November. Below is relevant information about changing engine oil: Engine oil change intervals: Engine oil is divided into three categories: mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil, and full synthetic oil. The replacement cycles for these three types of oil vary. Generally, mineral oil should be changed every six months or 5,000 kilometers, semi-synthetic oil every six months or 7,500 kilometers, and full synthetic oil every six months or 10,000 kilometers. Precautions when purchasing engine oil: First, choose according to the engine's requirements. Secondly, try to choose multi-grade oil. When the engine is in good condition and the seasonal temperature is low, use oil with lower viscosity as much as possible to ensure smooth oil flow.
During my recent maintenance visit, the mechanic taught me a few tips—winter oil changes aren’t just about the month. It’s crucial to consider how low the temperature drops in your area. If mornings frequently hit below -10°C, you should switch to a 0W-grade oil ASAP—it flows much better in the cold. My old Camry last year waited until the coolant gauge struggled to rise before I remembered to change it, only to find the oil had turned into syrup. Now I’ve learned my lesson: I keep test strips handy and check the diffusion ring—if it’s blurry, I change it immediately. Folks in the Northeast, take note: using 10W-grade oil at -25°C makes morning starts a nightmare, and your battery will scream in protest. A side lesson from last year: forgetting to swap to winter windshield fluid cost me over 300 bucks when the nozzles froze and cracked.
