How Often Should You Really Change Your Oil?

Ask five drivers how often to change your oil and you’ll get five answers. The old 3,000-mile rule dates back to engines and oils that no longer exist. Modern full-synthetic oils protect reliably for 7,500 to 10,000 miles in most vehicles — but the right answer for your car is printed in one place: the owner’s manual.

Severe service is more common than you think

Manufacturers publish two schedules: normal and severe. Short trips where the engine never fully warms up, stop-and-go traffic, towing, extreme heat or cold — that’s the severe schedule, and it describes most commuters. If your driving looks like that, use the shorter interval.

The habit that beats any schedule

Check your oil level once a month. Engines quietly burning or seeping oil between changes cause more damage than a stretched interval ever will. Thirty seconds with a dipstick catches the problem while it’s still cheap.