Do I need to change my oil every 3 months?

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.

How often do I really need an oil change?

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!

How often should you change your oil when driving?

If your driving routine consists mostly of trips that are 10 miles (16 kilometers) or less, you should consider changing your oil more often than every 3,000 miles for two reasons:

How do I determine how many miles between oil changes?

Look in your owner’s manual. In the scheduled maintenance section, the manual tells you how many miles or how much time you can allow between oil changes. Most manufacturers also recommend changing the oil filter — an inexpensive item — when you change the oil. Many owner’s manuals list oil change schedules for severe and normal driving.

How many miles can you go between synthetic oil changes?

Change Every 10,000 Miles If your car’s manufacturer recommends synthetic oil, or if you decide to make the switch, you could go as many as 10,000 miles or more between oil changes. Though synthetic oil is much more expensive than regular oil, it has more benefits.

How often should I change the oil in my Toyota Corolla?

Change Every 1,000 Miles. More frequent oil changes will help minimize the damage. In short, if you drive your car infrequently, as in much less than the mileage of your recommended service interval, you should still change your oil twice a year since the oil degrades over time.