When Should Car Engine Oil Be Changed?
2 Answers
Car engine oil change intervals depend on the type of oil: 1. Fully synthetic oil should be changed every 10,000 kilometers or 1 year; 2. Semi-synthetic oil should be changed every 7,500 kilometers or 7 to 8 months; 3. Mineral oil should be changed every 5,000 kilometers or 6 months. Precautions for changing car engine oil include: 1. Perform the change when the engine is warm to ensure thorough drainage of old oil; 2. Add new oil ensuring the correct quantity; 3. After adding oil, start the engine to check for leaks, then run the engine for 3 minutes to confirm the oil level reaches the normal mark.
I change the oil in my SUV every 8,000 kilometers or so. Last time, the technician at the 4S shop showed me the test paper—the oil had spread into a soy-sauce color, indicating the cleaning components were mostly depleted. Winters here are brutally cold, often hitting -20°C, so the mechanic specifically advised using 0W-20 grade oil for better cold-start fluidity. Once, when I left the car unused for three months during a business trip, the engine sounded noticeably rough upon starting. Long-term parking actually damages the oil more than driving 5,000 km, so I’ve made it a habit to change the oil if the car sits idle for over two months. Many new cars now display a wrench icon as a reminder, but experience tells me not to rely solely on it.
