When is the proper time or mileage period to have an oil change for your car?
- Most of you without thinking twice will say “5000kms or 3months”! Right?
But is that REALLY the proper time or mileage period for an oil change?
The answer:
No and Yes.
Why No?
- With today’s high grade synthetic motor oil; the synthetic oil lasts far much longerand performs far better than traditional petroleum-based / mineral oil.
How much longer?
- It is suppose to last up to 16,000kms or 6months!! That’s nearly 3 times the often assumed oil change period.
- If you do read your car’s service manual (which many of us don’t), you will notice that the recommended oil change period is after 7,500kms of mileage. That is still 2500kms more than than the usual assumed oil change period.
So why does some or most workshops or oil companies recommends oil change every 5000kms or 3months?
- Very simple answer; it’s business! $$
Why Yes?
1. If you are using cheap traditional mineral / petroleum-based oil; than you should have a more regular motor oil change
2. Depending on your driving patterns; if the engine is frequently started when it’s cold (that’s when most engine wear happens) or driving distances is really short (which prevents the engine to be properly lubricated or the moisture condensation to be boiled off); than you should have a more regular oil change
Conclusion & Tips:
1. Use only good synthetic motor oil
2. At the first engine start of the day; allow the engine to ‘warm up’ before driving for about 3minutes – this allows the oil to heat up and properly lubricate the engine’s internals
3. Use a good oil filter
4. If 1 to 3 is followed – it is possible to extend your next oil change to only after 8000kms or 6months.
We hope this tip has been useful to you.
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