How Often Should You Change Your Car’s Oil?

For most modern cars using full-synthetic oil, plan an oil change every 7,500–10,000 miles or about once a year, whichever comes first; if your vehicle has an oil-life monitor, follow it. In harsher “severe-service” driving—frequent short trips, extreme temperatures, towing, dusty roads—aim closer to 5,000 miles or six months. Older cars or those on conventional oil often need 3,000–5,000-mile intervals. The right interval ultimately depends on your vehicle’s manual, oil type, driving conditions, and whether the car uses an oil-life monitoring system.

What Automakers Recommend Today

Automakers have steadily extended oil-change intervals as engines and lubricants improved. Many late-model vehicles factory-fill with synthetic oil and rely on an oil-life monitoring (OLM) algorithm that adjusts the interval based on real driving data. That means two owners of the same car can receive different change reminders.

Oil-Life Monitors and Typical Ranges

In North America, most mainstream brands land in the 7,500–10,000-mile or 12-month range with synthetic oil, while European marques that require specific “long-life” formulations can stretch to 10,000–15,000 miles or up to two years. Regardless of mileage, nearly all brands cap the interval by time because oil ages even when you drive little.

Conditions That Shorten Your Interval

Automakers define “severe service” broadly. If your use matches any of the conditions below, you should change oil more frequently than the longest advertised interval—often around 5,000 miles or six months unless your OLM directs otherwise.

• Frequent short trips (especially under 5–10 miles) where the oil never fully warms.
• Extreme heat or cold, or large swings in temperature.
• Stop-and-go traffic, ride-hailing, or prolonged idling.
• Towing, hauling heavy loads, or mountain driving.
• Dusty, sandy, or off-road environments.
• Turbocharged and direct-injected gasoline engines, which can see fuel dilution.
• Use of high-ethanol fuels (E85) in engines not specifically optimized for them.
• Older engines with blow-by or known oil consumption.

If several of these apply, err on the conservative side or simply follow your OLM, which typically accounts for many of these stressors in real time.

Practical Intervals by Vehicle and Oil Type

While you should always defer to your owner’s manual and any OLM guidance, these ranges reflect current norms across the market and can help you set expectations.

• Late-model cars with full-synthetic oil and OLM: Follow the monitor; typically 7,500–10,000 miles, with a 12-month cap.
• European models with approved long-life oils (e.g., BMW LL, VW/Audi 504/507): Commonly 10,000–15,000 miles or up to 24 months; use the exact spec oil.
• Older vehicles or those using conventional oil: 3,000–5,000 miles or about 3–6 months.
• Turbocharged/direct-injection gasoline engines: 5,000–7,500 miles unless the OLM indicates otherwise; watch for fuel dilution and rising oil level.
• Hybrids: Often 10,000 miles/12 months, but calendar time still matters because the engine may run less and accumulate moisture on short trips.
• Light-duty diesels: Follow OEM and OLM; ranges vary from 7,500–10,000 miles in North America to up to 2 years in Europe with low-ash oils; DPF regens can affect oil condition.
• EVs: No engine oil changes; follow the maintenance schedule for other fluids and inspections.

These ranges assume the correct oil grade and specification for your engine. Using the wrong oil can invalidate these intervals and may affect warranty coverage.

Why the Calendar Matters as Much as Miles

Oil degrades over time from moisture, fuel dilution, and acid formation, especially if trips are short and the engine rarely reaches full temperature. That’s why most manufacturers set a time limit—often 12 months—even for low-mileage drivers. If you put very few miles on the car, changing oil at least annually helps prevent corrosion and sludge.

How to Know for Sure—Use Your Car’s Systems

The most reliable interval is the one your car and its documentation specify. These steps make it straightforward to get it right.

1. Check the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for mileage and time limits.
2. If equipped, monitor the oil-life percentage in the instrument cluster or app and service when it reaches the recommended threshold (often 10–15%).
3. Reset the OLM after each change so future reminders are accurate.
4. Use the correct oil viscosity and specification (e.g., API SP or newer; ILSAC GF-6/GF-7; or OEM specs like Dexos, VW/Audi, BMW, Mercedes).
5. Inspect oil level and condition monthly; top up between services if needed.

Following these steps aligns your maintenance with both the automaker’s guidance and your individual driving pattern, which is the safest way to protect your engine and warranty.

Signs You May Need an Oil Change Sooner

Even with an established interval, certain warnings suggest the oil is degrading faster than expected and should be changed promptly.

• Oil-life monitor or service reminder reaches low percentage earlier than usual.
• Service/oil light or check engine light related to oil quality or pressure.
• Noticeably dirty, gritty, or milky (moisture-contaminated) oil on the dipstick.
• Fuel smell in oil or a rising oil level (possible fuel dilution).
• New ticking/knocking sounds, rough idle, or diminished performance.
• Excessive oil consumption or visible smoke.
• For diesels, unusually frequent DPF regenerations or dilution warnings.

If any of these appear, schedule an oil and filter change and investigate underlying causes such as misfires, injector issues, or coolant leaks.

Cost, Quality, and Getting the Right Oil

Use the exact grade and spec your manual calls for—commonly 0W-20 or 5W-30 synthetic for newer cars, with certifications like API SP (or newer) and ILSAC GF-6/GF-7, or European ACEA/OEM approvals. A quality filter matters as much as the oil; replace it at every oil change. Extended-life oils and premium filters can support longer intervals, but you should still obey your OLM and time limits.

Bottom Line

Most modern cars on full-synthetic oil can safely go 7,500–10,000 miles or one year between oil changes, guided by the vehicle’s oil-life monitor. In severe service, shorten to around 5,000 miles or six months. Always follow your owner’s manual, use the correct spec oil and a quality filter, and don’t ignore the calendar—even if you don’t drive much.

Summary

Change oil every 7,500–10,000 miles or 12 months for most newer cars with synthetic oil, deferring to your oil-life monitor; cut that to about 5,000 miles/six months for severe use. Older or conventional-oil vehicles often need 3,000–5,000-mile intervals. Use manufacturer-specified oil and replace the filter each time to protect performance, longevity, and warranty coverage.

How often do you actually need an oil change?

You actually need an oil change based on the interval recommended in your car’s owner’s manual, typically 5,000 to 7,500 miles for conventional oil or 10,000 to 15,000 miles for synthetic oil, and at least once a year, even if you don’t drive much. Modern vehicles also have oil-life monitoring systems that use driving conditions to tell you when an oil change is due. 
Factors influencing your oil change interval:

• Car Manufacturer Recommendations: Opens in new tabAlways check your owner’s manual for the most accurate oil change intervals and recommendations for your specific vehicle. 
• Oil Type: Opens in new tabSynthetic oils last longer than conventional oils, allowing for extended mileage intervals. 
• Oil Life Monitoring System: Opens in new tabMany modern cars have a dashboard light or system that tracks your driving to determine when an oil change is needed. 
• Driving Conditions: Opens in new tabFactors like driving temperature, engine revolutions, and overall driving conditions are tracked by your car’s computer to help determine the optimal time for an oil change. 
• Time: Opens in new tabEven if you don’t drive much, engine oil degrades over time, so you should change your oil at least once a year. 

What the old 3,000-mile rule was for: 

• Older vehicles, older engine technology, and older oil formulations required more frequent oil changes to prevent premature wear.

How to determine your interval:

1. Check your owner’s manual: This is the most reliable source for your specific vehicle. 
2. Pay attention to your car’s oil life monitor: The dashboard indicator will alert you when service is needed. 
3. Consider your driving habits: If you frequently drive in extreme conditions or short distances, your interval may need to be shorter than the recommended maximum. 

How often does a car need an oil change after?

5,000 to 7,500 miles
It used to be accepted practice to perform an oil change every 3,000 miles but modern lubricants have changed that. Today, many carmakers have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Also, if your car requires full-synthetic oil, it could even go as far as 15,000 miles between services.

Is it good to change oil every 2 months?

You should get oil changed every 12 months (give or take a little) no matter the miles. Past that the oil starts to get contaminated by water from condensation and humidity. 3000 miles or 20000 miles, 12 months is really the limit with modern oils.

Does oil have to be changed every 3 months?

The “every 3,000 miles or every three months” rule is outdated because of advances in both engines and oil. Many automakers have oil-change intervals at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles and six or 12 months.