How Often Should I Change Car Engine Oil?

One of the most important things you can do to keep your car running smoothly is to change the engine oil regularly. But how often should you do it? The answer depends on a number of factors, including the type of oil you use, your driving habits, and the age of your car.

Types of Oil

There are two main types of engine oil: conventional oil and synthetic oil. Conventional oil is made from refined crude oil, while synthetic oil is made from man-made chemicals. Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, but it lasts longer and provides better protection for your engine.

Driving Habits

How often you drive and the conditions in which you drive can also affect how often you need to change your oil. If you drive mostly in city traffic, you will need to change your oil more often than if you drive mostly on the highway. This is because city driving involves more stop-and-go traffic, which can cause your oil to break down more quickly.

Age of Car

As your car gets older, it will need to have its oil changed more often. This is because the engine’s components will start to wear down over time, which can cause the oil to become contaminated with metal shavings and other debris.

General Recommendations

Based on the factors discussed above, here are some general recommendations for how often you should change your car’s engine oil:

If you use conventional oil and drive mostly in city traffic, you should change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
If you use synthetic oil and drive mostly on the highway, you can change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
If your car is older than 7 years old, you should change your oil every 5,000 miles, regardless of the type of oil you use.

Checking Your Oil

It is important to check your oil level regularly, even if you do not plan on changing it yourself. This will help you to catch any leaks or other problems early on. To check your oil level, simply remove the dipstick from the engine and wipe it clean. Then, reinsert the dipstick and pull it out again. The oil level should be between the two marks on the dipstick. If the oil level is low, add oil until it reaches the full mark.

Changing Your Oil

If you are comfortable doing so, you can change your car’s oil yourself. However, if you are not comfortable with this task, it is best to take your car to a mechanic. To change your oil, you will need the following supplies:

New oil filter
New oil
Oil drain pan
Wrench
Funnel

Once you have gathered your supplies, follow these steps to change your oil:

Park your car on a level surface and turn off the engine.
Locate the oil drain plug under the engine and place the oil drain pan under it.
Use the wrench to loosen the oil drain plug and allow the oil to drain into the pan.
Once the oil has drained, replace the oil drain plug and tighten it securely.
Locate the oil filter and use the wrench to loosen it.
Remove the old oil filter and apply a thin layer of new oil to the gasket.
Screw the new oil filter onto the engine and tighten it securely.
Add new oil to the engine through the oil filler cap.
Check the oil level on the dipstick and add more oil if necessary.
Reset the oil life monitor, if your car has one.

Conclusion

Changing your car’s engine oil is a simple but important maintenance task that can help to keep your car running smoothly for years to come. By following the recommendations in this article, you can ensure that your car’s engine is getting the protection it needs.