Should you change your oil by date or mileage?

The quick-lube chains usually recommend it be done every three months or 3,000 miles, but many mechanics would tell you that such frequent changes are overkill. Indeed, most car owner's manuals recommend changing out the oil less frequently, usually after 5,000 or 7,500 miles.
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Does oil change go by date or mileage?

3. How Often to Change the Oil. Some swear by the “every 3,000 miles or every 3 months” rule, but advances in engines and oil have made that guidance obsolete. Many automakers have oil-change intervals at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles and 6 or 12 months for time.
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Should I service my car by mileage or date?

The simple answer is, whichever provides a shorter interval. In the example shown, if two years goes by and you haven't driven 24,000 miles, use time as your basis. If you hit 24,000 miles in less than two years, use mileage for your service interval.
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Is it OK to change oil once a year?

For those who drive only 6,000 miles or less per year, Calkins said manufacturers typically recommend changing the oil once a year. Moisture and other contaminants can build up in the oil, especially with frequent cold starts and short trips, so owners shouldn't let it go more than a year.
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Do I really need an oil change every 6 months?

“The general rule of thumb for most cars is to change the oil every six months or 5,000 miles,” he says. “Not too many people have hit the 5,000 mile mark in the past six months since we're trying to stay safe at home and only making short trips to the grocery store and the like.
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Bobby Likis: How Often to Change Oil When Car Is Rarely Driven



Does oil really need to be changed every year?

Most people should change their oil twice a year. Basically, once every six months. But if you find yourself driving a ton, or doing a lot of rough driving (high acceleration, lots of stop and go, etc.) check your owner's manual and account for your driving style.
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How often should I get my oil changed?

It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car's engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services!
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Will synthetic oil last 2 years?

So, how long does synthetic oil last? On average, synthetic oil lasts about 6 months to 1 year or 7,500-10,000 miles before needing replacement.
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Should you read the oil dipstick the first time you pull it out?

4. Wipe the dipstick (from the handle to the tip) with a clean rag or paper towel. The reading you get from pulling the dipstick out the first time isn't accurate because the motor oil can splash around or wick upward on the dipstick. Detail: Take car tech with you.
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How many months should you change your oil?

The Old Standard for Oil Changes Has Been Updated

Now the general recommendation is about every 5,000 miles or 6 months. And it could be up to about every 7,500 miles or every 12 months if your car is new and you don't drive it very hard.
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Can you change oil too often?

If you're changing your oil more frequently than necessary, it won't help your car. It doesn't harm it either, but you're wasting money, time and resources. Keep in mind, too, that throwing away oil that's still usable puts a strain on the environment.
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Does engine oil degrade over time?

Over time, petroleum-based oils will degrade or break down from the heat and pressure inside the engine. As this occurs, the chemical composition of the oil changes and it becomes contaminated. After thousands of miles, petroleum-based oils are unable to protect the engine and must be replaced.
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Should you check your oil hot or cold?

If checking the oil yourself, make sure the car is parked on level ground and, with most cars, the engine is cold, so you don't burn yourself on a hot engine part. (With some cars, the automaker recommends that the oil be checked after the engine has been warmed up.)
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How do you know if you need your oil changed?

Take a little bit of oil off of the end of the dipstick and rub it between your thumb and forefinger. If the oil is coarse or you can feel any grittiness this is another sign that the oil contains contaminants and should be replaced.
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What Colour should oil be on dipstick?

Q. What color should oil be on the dipstick? Motor oil color changes depending on the time it has been in the engine and any problems happening in your vehicle. As a general rule, new oil will be amber in color while old oil will be darker.
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Why can't you go back to regular oil after synthetic?

Myth: Once you switch to synthetic oil, you can never switch back. This is one of the most persistent myths about synthetic oil—and completely untrue. You can switch back and forth at any time. In fact, synthetic blends are simply a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils.
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When should I change my full synthetic oil?

Unlike regular car oil, synthetic oil is more refined which can lower friction, reduce engine sludge, and increase engine performance. It's recommended that you change synthetic oil every 7,500 – 15,000 miles, depending on the vehicle and the brand of synthetic oil used.
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How many miles does fully synthetic oil last?

Full synthetic oils will actually last well beyond 10,000 miles. The lifespan of synthetic oil depends, but it's not crazy to see oils still working at 15,000 miles or longer. Synthetic technology is pretty amazing, but it isn't magical.
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How do you know if your engine oil is bad?

Dark and Dirty Oil -- Clean oil is an amber color, but after a while, it darkens and gets dirty from the particles it collects from the engine. If you can see the stick through the oil, it is fine. However, if it's thick and dark, it's time for an oil change.
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Is synthetic oil better than regular oil?

Is synthetic oil better for my engine than conventional oil? Yes, synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil. Although conventional oil (i.e., mineral oil) can provide adequate lubrication performance, it can't compete with the overall engine performance and protection provided by synthetics.
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What happens if you don't change your oil for 2 years?

The longer an oil change is put off, the engine in general will start to show problems. Most commonly, your engine will simply become too hot, which can cause it to run less efficiently. If the heat doesn't cause a gasket to blow, it will warp the parts of your engine.
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What color should my oil be?

The healthy engine oil you need for optimum performance typically should be amber or at least close to yellow when you check it. New and clean engine oil is generally translucent with an amber glow while a darker color that is thick with contaminants indicates an old engine oil.
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How much oil should be on my dipstick?

There will be two marks on the dipstick to show the optimum level that your oil should be at. Your oil level should be somewhere between the two. If your oil level is below the bottom line, or if there isn't any oil on the dipstick at all, you should immediately top up your engine oil.
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What is the proper way to check oil?

Insert the dipstick into the tube slowly and push it all the way down. Now withdraw it and look closely at the tip, which should have oil on it. If the level of the oil is between the two lines, your vehicle has enough oil. If it's at the low mark or below, it's time to add a quart.
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Can you go 2 years between oil changes?

Simply put, as a general rule, manufacturers recommend that you change the oil for a gasoline engine every 10,000 to 15,000 km, or about once a year for “regular” usage (frequent but not intensive) or once every 2 years if used less frequently.
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