Useful tips

How long can you go past your oil change?

How long can you go past your oil change?

Cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes.

What happens if you go too long without an oil change?

Complete Engine Failure Go long enough without an oil change, and it could eventually cost you your car. Once motor oil becomes sludge, it no longer draws heat from the engine. The engine might overheat and either blow a gasket or seize up. The engine will seize.

Is it bad to go 1000 miles over an oil change?

Some drivers push it an additional 1,000 or 2,000 miles, but even changing your oil that frequently may be unnecessary. Depending on your car, you might be able to drive 7,500 or even 10,000 miles between oil changes without putting your vehicle’s life expectancy at risk.

Can I drive my car when it needs an oil change?

Your engine will run smoothly even if you do not change the oil too often or if you run the vehicle over the set limit. If your engine can tolerate, it will take your vehicle anywhere between 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Most cars also signal when they need an oil change.

How many miles before changing oil?

Most experts will say that, if you want to know an estimate for how many miles before oil change becomes a must, the safest bet is between 5,000 and 10,000 miles for most newer models.

How long does an oil change usually take?

If done professionally, a basic oil change can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. The process is so simple that you won’t have to exit your vehicle. But, depending on where you take your car for an oil change, there are generally other factors that will creep in and influence the time taken to do the oil change.

How long should you wait between oil changes?

Most experts recommend getting an oil change no more than every 5,000 to 8,000 miles (8,047 to 12,875 km), and some cars can go 20,000 miles (32,187 km) or more between oil changes.

How long can you go past an oil change?

Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA ].