Oil Change Intervals for New Cars: What You Need to Know

Are you wondering how often you should change the oil in your new car? The answer can vary based on factors such as the age of your vehicle, the type of oil you use, and your driving conditions. In the past, it was common to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern oils, most vehicles today have recommended oil change intervals of up to 7,500 miles.

Some engines may even be able to go as long as 15,000 miles between oil changes if they use full-synthetic engine oil. It’s important to note that you can’t judge the condition of your engine oil by its color, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for oil changes.

Recommended to change the oil:

• Every 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) or every six months
• Every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers)
• Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,046 to 12,070 kilometers)
• Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or every six months (16,093 to 24,140 kilometers)

New cars Oil Change Intervals

With less frequent oil changes required for new cars, it’s important to check the oil level monthly and add more as needed.

Some newer engines may use less than a quart of oil between changes, while others may consume as much as a quart every 600 to 700 miles.

Maintaining proper oil levels can help you avoid costly vehicle repairs, as engine wear or damage due to low oil levels may not be covered under your new-vehicle warranty. Keep in mind that if you don’t drive your vehicle very often, most automakers recommend an oil change every year, regardless of whether the maintenance indicator has not come on.

What type of oil for my car

So, how do you choose the right oil type for your car? The owner’s manual for your vehicle will list its recommended oil weight, whether that is a standard specification like 10W-30 or something more specific.

This number refers to the consistency or thickness of the oil that you should use. You may need to change the weight and type of oil for different seasons and your normal use of the vehicle, which we’ll explain below.

For general use in moderate temperatures, following the recommendation in your owner’s manual is a good starting point. Always choose an oil from a brand that displays the starburst symbol indicating that the oil has been tested by the American Petroleum Institute (API). (read more)

Synthetic or semi-synthetic oil

We always recommend following the recommendations of your car manufacturer when it comes to the type of oil to use. If you do use semi-synthetic motor oil instead of fully-synthetic oil, it is unlikely to cause any immediate or unusual problems.

However, semi-synthetic oil may not provide the same level of protection for your engine as fully-synthetic oil, and it may result in reduced engine performance. If fully-synthetic oil is recommended, it is best to follow this recommendation. On the other hand, engines that require semi-synthetic oil may benefit from increased protection and performance if you use full-synthetic oil instead of semi-synthetic oil

What does the 5w-20 mean?

The “w” in engine oil stands for winter. The first number in the oil rating refers to a cold weather thickness. The lower this number is, the less viscous your oil will be at low temperatures. For example, 5W-engine oil will flow more easily at lower temperatures than 15W-engine oil. The larger number, following the “w,” refers to warm weather viscosity, or how fluid your oil is at high temperatures. The higher the number, the thicker the oil at a given temperature (read more)

Listen to this pro mechanic advise