When do you REALLY need to change oil?

Question

So I'm about 5000 miles over the little sticker on the window from the last oil change at a shop. I just want to know how long you can go to the max, and when it's best to change after new oil.

Also, when is it best to just buy oil at a store and put it in yourself?

Answer 1

regular oil - 5000 miles

synthetic blend - 7500 miles

synthetic oil - 15,000 miles

     with a by-pass oil filter 25,000 miles

If you just let it go, it's a roll of the dice. I know one girls who didn't change her oil for 130,000 miles. She just added oil when it got low.

I get all my oil and filters at Walmart. DIY for $15.  

Answer 2

It depends on your environment and how you drive.  If you do a lot of short trips in a ho climate then I would have changed it sooner.  If you do nothing but long freeway trips in a mild climate then you may still be okay.  All I know is a car cost a lot and a $20 oil change is worth doing to keep it going so why not get it changed?  That way you know for sure it's good for another 4000-5000 miles without worrying about it.

Answer 3

You don't need to do it NOW. But the damage builds up.  So after the damage (because you didn't do the engine oil change for 10K) then there's no way to reverse it unless you rebuild your engine (VERY EXPENSIVE).

So the point is to do it BEFORE ANY damage is done.

===

My 94 Civic has 187K miles and the engine and tranny runs like NEW.  Without proper oil change it would not last 50K to 100K miles.

Good luck...

Answer 4

I used to take the vehicles for a state agency in for servicing (I'm not a mechanic, btw).  If you plan to keep the car awhile, change the oil and filter every 3,000.  Many will disagree and say every 6,000, or whatever.

It's not that expensive to have done.  It's even cheaper when you do it yourself.  The state tried to save money by having the oil changed every 6,000 miles and I had many, many more mechanical problems to deal with.  It cost a lot to have the repairs done, and the oil had to be changed anyway.

I'm sticking with every 3,000 for economy's sake.  You'll have less trouble and repairs in the long run.  When you take it in for the oil change, don't fall for the sale pitches trying to get you to change your brake fluid, steering fluid, and stuff you know you don't need.  The owner's manual gives you the scoop on all that.

If you keep all receipts on oil changes and repairs, it's also easier to get more money out of your car when you decide to sell it.  Buyers love having all the information on the cars.

Answer 5

You should get your oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first.

You shouldn't push it to the max, your killing your car. All drivers and cars are different so it would be hard to say when that would be.

Oil change places are required by law to use a grade of oil that meets or exceeds car manufacturers requirements for all cars., no matter what year they are made.

If you change your own oil  make sure you use the right grade oil for your car and remember most states have a used oil disposal fee.

Answer 6

You can change it as little or often as you want just so long as you are prepared for the consequences.  Those consequences would be dramatically reduced engine life.  

Answer 7

yes its cheaper but you should change your oil every 2000 miles it also depends the quality of oil you put in it

Answer 8

I'd cap it at 5,000 miles, so get it done soon. With the quality of oil nowadays, 3,000 mile intervals are not really needed.

Answer 9

I have changed my oil and filter every 2,500 miles and my engine has well over 250,000 miles on it and still runs like brand new.  

Answer 10

If you drive in stop-and-go traffic every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. I change mine every time it gets pretty dirty though. (Usually around 2,300 - 2,500). It's cheaper and easier to take it to a shop, not an "oil change chain store" such as Jiffy Lube. Take it to either an independant shop or prefferably a dealership that knows your vehicle inside and out. If you take your car to a good shop they will look over your vehicle for anything wrong to try to make money off of it. If you decline repairs atleast you know something's wrong.  

Answer 11

I assume you're probably at 8000 miles since your last oil change now. That's really pushing it for a conventional, non-synthetic oil. I would take your car in at your earliest convenience to have the oil changed. If your car doesn't leak, burn or otherwise consume any oil and you don't mind spending a bit extra, consider trying a good synthetic oil. Not only will a synthetic oil last longer before it needs to be changed, you can also help squeeze extra fuel economy out of your engine with synthetic oil in the crankcase.