By AAA Automotive. Search More Facilities. Every automobile engine needs oil, but not just any oil will do. It doesn't harm it either, but you're wasting money, time and resources. Keep in mind, too, that throwing away oil that's still usable puts a strain on the environment.
There are four main "recommended" intervals for oil changes based on factors specific to you and your car:. First, if some experts say that 3, miles is too often, why would those same experts recommend intervals of every 1, miles? It all depends on your driving habits. If your driving routine consists mostly of trips that are 10 miles 16 kilometers or less, you should consider changing your oil more often than every 3, miles for two reasons:. In short, if you drive your car infrequently — as in much less than the mileage of your recommended service interval — you should still change your oil twice a year since the oil degrades over time.
Some car experts suggest that the 3,mile interval is really for the benefit of shops that change oil, since the more frequently you come in, the more money they make.
Still, if you have an older-model car that recommends an oil change every 3, miles, you're probably better off adhering to it.
Scientific American makes the case for longer intervals , specifically every 5, to 7, miles 8, to 12, kilometers , based on the fact that these distances are what's recommended in most car owners' manuals.
The 5, to 7, miles interval is becoming increasingly common, though some manufacturers recommend you also take your driving style and habits into account. For instance, if your car is fairly new and you usually drive 20 minutes or more and achieve fairly steady speeds as opposed to stop-and-go traffic the entire drive you are a prime candidate for increasing the time between your oil changes. However, if your car is older, it's best to stick with the manufacturer's recommend maintenance schedule.
If your car's manufacturer recommends synthetic oil, or if you decide to make the switch, you could go as many as 10, miles or more between oil changes. Though synthetic oil is much more expensive than regular oil, it has more benefits. It performs better than regular oil see sidebar below and is better for the environment. Opinion differs, though, whether upgrading is worth it. While some experts suggest doing it in most circumstances, Consumer Reports said in that, generally , you shouldn't switch to synthetic if your car doesn't need it.
Synthetic oil can also help engines that are prone to building up sludge; some Volkswagen and Toyota models have had sludge issues in the past.
This residue, formed when oil breaks down, can block the flow of oil, leading to the quick death of an engine. Visit our guide to car maintenance and repair. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly. Since , Consumer Reports has been testing products and working to create a fairer, safer, and healthier marketplace.
Click here to learn more about Consumer Reports' mission as a nonprofit organization. To help support our work, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. You can also show support by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. We respect your privacy. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. By Consumer Reports. Updated March 29, Photo: iStock. Manufacturers also have a special set of recommended synthetic oil-change intervals for vehicles driven in severe conditions like Mojave Desert heat or Alaskan cold—or for vehicles that spend most of their time on dusty roads.
Many newer vehicles have oil-quality monitoring systems that keep track of driving conditions—the length of your trips, engine temperatures, and other engine parameters. The algorithms in those systems calculate when your oil should be changed and alert you when it's time. If your vehicle is older, you might want to consider one of the synthetics billed as "high mileage" oil.
These oils do have a different combination of additives that might be a little better suited to engines with a lot of wear, tear, and miles on them. There's no hard-and-fast rule that you should put them into your car's crankcase, however.
Most important is to use a synthetic with the same SAE viscosity named for the engineering organization SAE International that the factory filled your car with in the first place, and to follow the correct oil-change interval. Doing that will help your car run properly and your engine last longer. New Cars. Buyer's Guide.
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