| Oil Change Intervals |
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Under these conditions, most car manufacturers suggest that you change the oil twice as often. That means every 2,500 to 3,750 miles—or every three months, whichever comes first. The additives in oil can lose their functionality if they just sit inside the engine for months without being circulated, so a time limit is suggested. Okay, here’s my recommendation, based on owning and maintaining numerous cars, trucks, and RVs over nearly 40 years and asking dozens of experts for their advice. Change the oil and filterin your car every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every three months, whichever occurs first. You really don’t have to pull over to the side of the road and change the oil at 3,125 miles! You can guestimate about when it will be needed again and schedule it to fall on a day off or when it’s most convenient. Just keep this fact in mind: An oil change costs less than $30--less than 1 percent of the cost of a new engine. Okay, I’ll stop talking and show you how to change your car’s oil and filter in a matter of minutes. Tech Tip If your car is still under new-car warranty, make sure you change the oil at least as frequently as is recommended by the manufacturer. Also, keep a record of oil/filter changes in your Car Journal and hold on to receipts to show when and how often you changed the oil and filter.
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So, when should you change the oil in your car? Obviously, before the oil becomes a problem rather than a solution. When is that? Car manufacturers recommend changing oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles under normal conditions. However, the majority of cars (about two-thirds) are driven under what are called “severe conditions.” That is, they are driven in cold climates (where oil has to work harder), dusty locations (where sand or dirt particles from the outside air can enter the combustion chamber), or on lots of short or stop-and-go trips (when the engine doesn’t warm up or oil doesn’t circulate well).
