How Often To Change Your Oil
While dealerships usually give a hard limit of 5,000 miles, it may be different for your particular make and model.
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Changing oil is a vital part of car maintenance. It makes sure your pistons keep popping and your crankshaft keeps cranking. Not following the directed oil change schedule can lead to rough idling, unresponsive throttle, or in a worst-case scenario, severe damage that tailspins into engine failure. What's more, recommended intervals tend to differ between manufacturers and models. So how are you supposed to keep track of it all?
That's what we're here to help with. It gets confusing when seemingly every car has a different recommended oil change interval. And not only that, but every shadetree mechanic has their own suggestion that they'll try and convince you is gospel.
There are several factors to consider when creating an oil change schedule, including vehicle age and mileage. There's also a general agreement that changing your oil every 5,000 miles is good maintenance, but depending on the type of oil you use and the condition of your car's engine, it may be able to go further. We'll talk about that and answer a few other common oil life questions while we're at it.
How Often Do You Need to Change Oil?
Your oil change schedule is going to depend on three variables: make, model, and the year your car was built. Cars, trucks, and SUVs before 1990 required routine oil changes every 3,000 miles or every three months. But as engines have become more efficient, and oil chemistry has been developed to last longer, modern engines require oil changes far less frequently than cars of the past.
Some cars, trucks, and SUVs now only require oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, and others even longer. If you own something relatively new and drive at an average rate, you could possibly get away with an oil change only once a year. To make it a little easier for you, here’s a brief rundown of the most common manufacturers and their lineups’ current oil change schedules.
- Acura: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Audi: 10,000 miles
- BMW: 12,000-15,000 miles
- Buick: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Cadillac: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Chevrolet: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Chrysler: 7,000-10,000 miles
- Dodge: 7,000-10,000 miles
- Ford: 7,500 miles
- GMC: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Honda: 7,500 miles
- Hyundai: 7,500 miles
- Jaguar: 15,000 miles
- Jeep: 7,000-10,000 miles
- Kia: 7,500 miles
- Land Rover: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Lexus: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Mazda: 7,500 miles
- Mercedes-Benz: 10,000 miles
- Nissan: 5,000-7,000 miles
- Porsche: 10,000 miles
- RAM: 7,000-10,000 miles
- Subaru: 6,000 miles
- Tesla: You don’t! It’s electric!
- Toyota: 7,500-10,000 miles
- Volkswagen: 10,000 miles
- Volvo: 10,000 miles
How Long Can I Go Without an Oil Change?
We know that life gets so hectic that you completely miss your scheduled oil change, and it’ll be weeks until you’re able to either do it yourself or have a professional do it for you. Thankfully, manufacturers give you a little wiggle room and your oil won’t immediately go bad once the odometer clicks past your recommended interval, especially if your car uses modern synthetic oils. Just don’t go too long…
What Happens if You Go Too Long Without an Oil Change?
As your engine cycles through your oil, it can pick up dirt, debris, metal shavings from your cylinders, and other particulates coursing through your engine. As this happens, it can become tar-like and more viscous, which makes it harder for the oil to efficiently move through your engine. If you let it go too long, it could turn into sludge and seize your engine. If that happens, you’re looking at a far more expensive bill than just an oil change.
Is It Bad to Change Oil Too Often?
It isn’t, but why would you want to spend money if you don’t have to? Plus, all that extra oil you’re replacing is harmful to the environment, so it’s best to just stick with the prescribed oil change schedule.
Pro Tips to Determine How Often You Should Change Your Oil
Over the years, The Drive’s editors have changed gallons on gallons of oil. We’ve seen sludgy goop and pristine amber fluid, and even had searingly hot oil splashed onto our faces.
We’re also old enough to remember the time before your car automatically told you when it was time to change your oil. So here are our pro tips to determine how often and when you should change your oil.
- If your car is more than about 15 years old, check your manual.
- Check the manufacturer’s website.
- Check the coloration of your oil by removing the dipstick. If it’s amber and semi-transparent, you’re golden. If it’s black and tarry, it’s time to swap that out.
Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com
