How Many Miles Till Oil Change Is Needed?

Engine oil lubricates vital moving parts like the crankshaft and pistons, keeping them cool and friction-free.

“Lubrication” means that the molecules of oil keep the metal components separated so that they’re not touching. When the oil breaks down (and it always does eventually), the oil’s lubricating properties are reduced. 

Further, the pH of the engine oil changes over time as well. As much as 90% of engine wear has been attributed to acid content in the engine oil due to overdue oil changes.

According to Ford Motor Company, running a 5 quart crankcase 1 quart low will cause the oil to break down in as little as 1500 miles.

So, how often should you do an oil change for your vehicle? How many miles can you go before you absolutely have to change the oil?

First, it depends on the required oil, and secondly, it depends on how many quarts the crankcase holds. The higher the oil capacity of the crankcase, the longer you can go between changes. Also, if the manufacturer calls for a full synthetic oil or a synthetic blend, make certain you’re using the right oil. Read the labels because not all synthetic oils are created equal.

How Often Should You Change The Oil?

Your dealer will probably tell you to change the oil every 5,000 miles or earlier. However, your vehicle might need an oil change earlier or later.

Is your car, truck, or SUV a model that rolled out before 1990? It generally needs regular oil changes every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first.

Starting in 1990, internal combustion engine technology and engine oil chemistry made significant strides. Engines became more efficient at burning fuel. Meanwhile, new formulas extended the service life of engine lubricants.

Thanks to these improvements, the typical modern vehicle needs fewer and less frequent oil changes than pre-1990 models. Newer cars, trucks, and SUVs now only require oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. Some models can reach 15,000 miles. That’s unless the vehicle is experiencing severe service. Highway miles don’t break the engine down like city driving, so you may need to shorten your oil change mileage intervals if you mostly drive in town.

Here are the recommended oil change schedules for popular vehicle brands:

• Nissan: 5,000-7,000 miles
• Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM: 7,000-10,000 miles
• Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda: 7,500 miles
• Chevrolet, GMC, Lexus, Toyota: 7,500-10,000 miles

Please keep in mind that these numbers might not apply to every model under the brand. You might have to get the recommended oil change schedule from the dealer, manufacturer’s website, or service manual.

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Other Important Notes

Here’s another warning. Always keep track of the miles since the last oil change even if your vehicle has an oil change reminder. One GM engineer wrote an article that said he had trusted his oil change reminder and when it finally alerted him, he found out he had driven 11,000 miles since the last oil change. Again, just think about what’s at stake: with oil changes, it’s pay a little now or pay a lot later.

Also, keep in mind that changing your oil too often is better than not changing it often enough. Furthermore, avoid starting the engine and then shutting it off without letting it warm completely to avoid sludge formation. Also avoid frequent very short drives for the same reason, and keep the PCV system service, again, to prevent sludge buildup.

From Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Let’s take a moment for a true story about a man named Ed with a 1974 GMC pickup with a 350 V8 that reported a broken timing chain and a lot of bent valves.

This was very unusual, because the timing chain on a small block V8 of that vintage may jump time due to the cam gear losing its plastic teeth, but the timing chain practically never breaks. He had owned the truck since it was nearly new. It had 2,500 miles on it when he bought it.

During an interview about the situation, the question was asked how many miles the truck had on the odometer. Ed said he didn’t know, because the odometer had stopped working when the truck had 385,000 miles on it. He also didn’t know this large amount of mileage was unusual.

He genuinely thought every vehicle went that many miles. Only in those days, they didn’t. Ed was an intelligent man in other areas of knowledge, but he didn’t know that in vehicles of that vintage, most engines didn’t last much over 100,000 miles. The interview continued.

Finally, the secret of this engine’s incredible longevity was uncovered. From the time Ed bought the truck, he had consistently changed the engine oil every 1,500 miles. That was his secret. Consistent oil changes at what might seem like ridiculously short intervals. We can all learn from Ed. Would you rather spend more on oil changes or later repairs? It’s a good question.

How Long Can You Safely Postpone A Scheduled Oil Change?

There are times when your carefully crafted timetable might fall apart without warning. You might have your hands full for so long that you forget to do something important–for example, changing your vehicle’s engine oil according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

Fortunately, engine oil won’t degrade immediately after reaching the end of its expected service life. Modern synthetic oils last even longer.

While you have some leeway after the scheduled oil change, don’t take too long to get around to doing it. You increase the chances of something going wrong with your vehicle’s engine if you don’t replace dirty or old oil.

Again, it’s best not to postpone an oil change unless you have no other choice. If putting off oil change becomes a habit, some people are fooled into thinking they can get away with it over and over because the car still runs good and doesn’t make noise. People actually say this sometimes, believe it or not.

What Happens if You Go Too Long Without an Oil Change?

The following are the possible consequences if you don’t change the oil for too long:

Voided Car Warranty

New cars usually come with a vehicle warranty that assures free repair and replacement for damaged or defective parts. The warranty gives you peace of mind by removing a possible burden from your budget.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: If your car is still under warranty, it’s best to let the dealership change the oil on the schedule published for that vehicle, and this way, there’s a record.

However, you might render your car warranty null and void by violating the terms of the agreement, usually by accident. Most warranties require you to service your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s specifications, such as changing the oil at specific intervals. Skipping the oil change might nullify the warranty’s protection, forcing you to pay for the next maintenance or repair session.

Check Engine Light

When you go too long without changing the engine oil, blowby contaminates it with gasoline, and those vapors are picked up by the PCV system. Over time as the oil gets more gasoline mixed in with it, the fuel trims will go negative to the point that a code is set, which can confuse a DIY person into replacing O2 sensors and whatnot when an oil change is all that’s needed.

Engine Issues

The longer you wait on an oil change, the more likely the engine will develop issues like engine rattling in the valve train. Eventually knocking will begin to happen, which is the kiss of death.

Will Frequent Oil Changes Damage Your Vehicle?

In a word: No. Changing the engine oil early or frequently won’t cause problems. Fresh, clean engine oil won’t damage the engine.

However, your wallet may have difficulty, but again, frequent oil changes are cheaper than unscheduled engine repairs due to oil changes not done frequently enough.

Tips To Determine the Right Time for an Oil Change

The owner’s manual has the recommended oil change schedule. If you can’t find it, visit the manufacturer’s website.

Make a habit of inspecting the engine oil. Pull out the dipstick and check the oil’s color. The oil is good if it appears clear and is amber. Conversely, black engine oil that resembles tar indicates the need for an oil change as soon as possible.

Where to Shop for Engine Oil

Proper maintenance is key to keeping your vehicle running for a long time. Getting an oil change as scheduled is arguably one of the most important maintenance tasks that you should tick off your to-do list regularly. So when it’s time to get high-quality engine oil, CarParts.com is the best place to shop.

We have a variety of engine oil brands to choose from, including Liqui Moly, GenuineXL, Mopar, AC Delco, and more. Start shopping by entering your vehicle’s year, make, and model into our vehicle selector. For a more personalized shopping experience, use the search filters to further refine the catalog according to your preferred brand, price range, quantity, and more.

Never go over budget when you shop from us. CarParts.com offers affordable solutions for your maintenance needs, including a low-price guarantee for all products. With our strategically located warehouses across the US, you can expect your order to arrive at your doorstep in as fast as two business days.

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