When Should Engine Oil Be Changed?
2 Answers
Generally, the engine oil replacement interval is between 5,000-10,000 kilometers or every six months to one year. The recommended engine oil change intervals are as follows: 1. Different types of engine oil have different replacement cycles. Mineral oil: 5,000 kilometers or 6 months. Semi-synthetic oil: 7,500 kilometers or 6 months. Full synthetic oil: 10,000 kilometers or 12 months. 2. Brake fluid. Brake fluid, also known as hydraulic brake fluid, is a functional liquid that transmits pressure in the vehicle's braking system to enable the braking action on the wheels. It has four main functions: energy transmission, heat dissipation, anti-corrosion and anti-rust, and lubrication. The general recommended replacement cycle is every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. 3. Coolant. Coolant is an important heat dissipation conductor in vehicles. In winter, it prevents the vehicle's cooling liquid from freezing and cracking the cooling system, while in summer, it prevents "boiling over." Therefore, it is as important as engine oil. The service life of coolant is 3-5 years or 100,000 kilometers. During each maintenance within the validity period, the liquid level should be checked and topped up as needed. The coolant should be replaced when it is about to expire. 4. Transmission fluid. Transmission fluid is an oil product that keeps the gear system clean and ensures the normal operation of the transmission and extends the life of the transmission device. Depending on the transmission structure, transmission fluid is divided into automatic transmission fluid and manual transmission fluid. For manual transmission fluid, it is generally sufficient to check it every 10,000 kilometers, and the replacement cycle is usually 60,000 kilometers. For automatic transmission fluid, the replacement cycle is longer, generally every 80,000 kilometers. 5. Power steering fluid. The replacement cycle for power steering fluid is generally longer, recommended every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers. Generally, it can be checked every six months. The inspection of power steering fluid also includes checking for loss and contamination.
I've been driving for many years, and changing the engine oil depends on the situation. The manufacturer's manual usually recommends changing it every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers or every 6 months, but actual driving habits matter a lot: I mostly drive on highways, so I can stretch it to 8,000 kilometers before changing; if it's city driving with heavy traffic, I change it earlier at 6,000 kilometers to avoid carbon buildup damaging the engine. Higher-quality synthetic oil is more wear-resistant and can last longer; older cars should have more frequent changes. I check the dipstick during every maintenance—if the oil turns black or thickens, I change it immediately. Once, I delayed too long, and the engine had trouble starting, costing me unnecessary repair expenses. Remember, if the car sits unused for over six months, the oil will degrade—change it when needed to protect the car's lifespan.
