How Long Can You Go Between Oil Changes?

Overtime your car’s engine takes in impurities and abrasives that can cause it to wear out faster. Changing the oil keeps these impurities from accumulating in your car’s engine, so this is an important routine maintenance item to keep up on. However, the question remains as to wat is the most preferred oil change timing. A common belief states that the longer you can go between oil changes, the longer your car’s engine will last.

What is oil?

Oil is an industrial product designed to allow the engine to operate smoothly. Oil allows for smooth, controlled combustion and acts as a lube to the parts in your car’s engine. The oil collects impurities, such as dirt and salt, in your engine. Over time, these impurities can breakdown your engine if they aren’t periodically removed. So how long between oil changes becomes a question of how long you want your car’s engine and other parts to last.

What happens if you don’t change your oil?

Oil is, as stated above, an industrial product designed to lubricate and clean. If left inside your engine for too long, the build-up in your engine will continue to get worse. If new oil is not put into the engine to replace this buildup, the sludge in your engine will begin to burn and erode the important parts of your engine’s pistons and cylinders. This can cause cracks inside of these parts that further reduce their longevity. In the worst case scenario, your car’s engine could fail completely and your mechanic will have to replace the entire part.

How often should you change your oil?

The exact time between oil changes varies depending on the type of car you have and how you drive it. The best rule of thumb comes from the manual that came with your car or its manufacturer’s website. It’s important to remember that this time applies to a normal driver. If you’re a busy driver, one that goes through long periods of time without stopping, your driving habits may require an oil change much sooner than the time recommended by the manufacturer or manual.

What can you do to extend the life of your car’s engine?

There are many ways you can change how often you have your car’s oil changed. The biggest way is to not drive a vehicle that requires frequent oil changes and instead use an older, proven vehicle in which the parts are longer lasting. However, there are other ways that you can be proactive in preserving the life of your car’s engine.  One way is to change your coolant and fluid regularly.