When Should You Change Your Car's Engine Oil?
3 Answers
In fact, different types of engine oil have varying usage cycles: 1. Mineral oil: The usage period is 6 months or 5,000 kilometers. Mineral oil is primarily refined from petroleum with some additives mixed in. It is relatively inexpensive and provides basic protection, making it the most fundamental type of engine oil. 2. Semi-synthetic oil: The usage period is 8 months or 7,500 kilometers. Semi-synthetic oil is a refined product based on mineral oil, blended from mineral oil and full synthetic oil. Its purity is closer to full synthetic oil but still contains a relatively high proportion of mineral oil, serving as a transitional product between mineral oil and synthetic oil. 3. Full synthetic oil: The usage period is 12 months or 10,000 kilometers. Synthetic oil is artificially manufactured, and during the production process, some natural substances are added for decomposition. After decomposition, they are blended with other substances to form the final product. This type of oil offers excellent lubrication and is typically used in high-end cars and racing vehicles.
The timing for an oil change depends on your driving conditions and personal habits. I believe following the manufacturer's manual is the safest approach for new cars, typically every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers. For those like me who mainly drive in the city for daily commutes, often encountering traffic jams and short trips, the engine wears out faster, so I change it at 5,000 kilometers. Veteran DIYers who change their own oil understand this well—prolonged intervals can lead to sludge buildup, clogging oil passages, making the engine sound muffled and reducing acceleration. Also, remember to regularly check the dipstick; if the oil is black and less viscous, it's time for a change even if the mileage hasn't been reached. In summer heat or frequent mountain driving, the engine is under heavier load, so I play it safe by servicing a few hundred kilometers early.
When it comes to oil change intervals, I know many car owners rigidly follow the odometer readings, which is actually not the right approach. Last time I helped my neighbor check his 3-year-old SUV that had only driven 7,000 km, the oil was already as black as ink because he frequently made short trips with cold starts. There's also a big difference between oil types - full synthetic oil is indeed more durable, while conventional mineral oil needs changing before reaching 5,000 km. Vehicles frequently carrying heavy loads or driving on highways require more frequent oil changes than commuter cars, especially when the engine consistently operates above 3,000 rpm. Another practical tip: the maintenance manual's recommendation of changing oil every six months is more suitable for vehicles in storage - for daily drivers, actual operating conditions should determine the interval.
