Essential Guide: Engine Oil Change Intervals: Importance, Frequency, & Oil Analysis

The best oil change interval will vary from driver to driver and car to car. Let's see why oil change intervals are so important and how to know when you should do an oil change or oil service on your car.

So when it comes to how often should you change your oil and the best oil change intervals it takes a bit of investigation and understanding to determine the optimal time and interval for your next engine oil change because car makers only suggest a bare minimum recommendation which is nearly always going to result in long term engine wear if followed.

We delve into the vital realm of engine oil changes. In this enlightening video, we uncover the significance of regular oil changes and explore key aspects that every vehicle owner should know to help work out when you should change your engine oil and how to know you service intervals.

Why Oil Changes are Important

At the outset, we lay the foundation by highlighting the paramount importance of engine oil changes. Join us as we unveil the critical role that fresh oil plays in maintaining the health and longevity of your vehicle's engine as we bust a few myths about topping up oil instead of changing it.

How Often Should You Change Engine Oil? Depends Engine to Engine
The question on everyone's mind - how often should you change your engine oil?

Delve into the intricacies of oil change intervals and gain insights into the factors that influence the frequency, tailored to your specific engine type.

Difference Between Synthetic & Mineral Oils: Synthetics Last Longer
Navigate the world of oil options with a detailed examination of synthetic and mineral oils.

What sets them apart, and why do synthetics tend to outlast their mineral counterparts? Discover the performance distinctions that impact your engine's well-being.

Can Topping Up Oil Be Considered As Oil Change? No, the Oil Just Gets Thicker and Sludge Builds Up

Can topping up oil serve as a substitute for an oil change? Learn the truth behind this practice and understand how neglecting proper oil change intervals can lead to detrimental consequences.

Oil Analysis: A Window into Your Engine's Health
Step into the realm of oil analysis, a diagnostic tool that offers insights into the condition of your oil and engine.

How does oil analysis work, and how can it aid in making informed maintenance decisions? Explore the benefits of harnessing this technique to optimize your vehicle's performance.

Cost of Oil Changes
Concluding our journey, we delve into a practical consideration - the cost of oil changes.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial implications of routine oil maintenance and the long-term savings it can offer.

Join us on this enlightening voyage into the world of engine oil changes.

by understanding the significance of regular oil changes, decoding the differences between oil types, grasping the limitations of topping up, and embracing the insights from oil analysis, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to ensure your engine's optimal health.

Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more engaging explorations into the realm of automotive maintenance and knowledge.

0:00 Start
0:17 Intro
0:24 How Often Should You Change Engine Oil?
1:00 Difference Between Synthetic & Mineral Oils
1:54 Can Topping Up Oil Be Considered As Oil Change?
3:21 Oil Analysis
5:10 Cost Of Oil Changes
5:56 Conclusion

Legal Notice: Unless we have inspected your car we can only provide generic theory. All information is provided without warranty, please check any recommendations made with a mechanic locally to verify it would be legal in your area or region and that it would be suitable for your car and your needs.

[bradgreen]

My tuner told me to change the oil every 2000 miles on my modified 2016 turbo Subaru. Has been gold. Never be cheap

[ebo]

I change my oil every 6000 miles religiously. I have a few cars, but my daily driver has done over 262, 000 miles and still pulls like a train. :)

[bigmuvver]

So I’m in the Uk, my car is E64 635D, twin turbo’s, I change my oil every, wait for it every 1500 miles, with the filter!!
The reasons are I do quite a lot of shorter journeys, but the main reasons are, I want to give my engine the best chance it can have at 108, 008 miles, you could say that’s stupid throwing money away but I’ve always given my cars the attention I think they deserve.

[dbernier]

On my GM 2.2L Ecotec I try to change the oil every 6-7000 km. Mobil 1 full synthetic is $30 a jug at Walmart. NAPA filter is under $10.

[Naren]

I change my oil in my 2018 A3 1.4 COD between 5000 - 7000km. But then, I’m the absolute car nut.

[carlovanrijk]

I live here in the US, so the oil qualities may be different than, say, UK or European specifications. “Full Synthetic” oils here may be just regular crude that has been filtered and refined several times, then replenished with an additive package. What I look for in an oil is the API (American Petroleum Institute) and ILSAC (International Lubrication Standardization and Advisory Committee) specifications - for me, the oils have to meet these specifications before I buy them.

[thet]

Great content, very well explained, sensible and honest info.🍻
Personal experience, take it for what it’s worth .hope it helps with people’s perception,
From Darwin, Australia, where winter is a mild 20 Celsius and the summer is f*cking hot, 🍺
using oil, run thicker oil 15w or 20w. ( and a good battery with higher cranking amps then spec will last a lot longer and start )
5w or 10w full synthetic only for normal cars/dual cabs/TDI or Petrol
Change oil every 10, 000 km and change the filter, diesels we change the filters every 5000km (only $15 Aussie) don’t worry about time 12/24 month bullshit… maybe worry about if it’s been about 5 yrs since … maybe in the UK or euro, is different due to cold temps and changes the viscosity/ detergents in the oil … I don’t know that one..
Anything turbo I don’t leave it longer ( preferably) as the heat from the turbo, degrades the oil faster due to the higher temp heat cycles

(Family man with 4 adult children)
754, 000km landcruiser TDI
430, 000km VW Amarok TDI
280, 000km Audi A3 TDI
130, 000km Ducati ST 4
All manual transmission,
312, 000km Lexus IS 300
200, 000km R34 skyline turbo
Autos, change transmission oil roughly every 60-80, 000km
Fuel consumption is roughly the same, as factory when new, the TDI EGR and DPF (Audi / VW ) are a fu*king nightmare for codes, run the breather hose ( the one from the cam cover to the turbo inlet ) straight out via inch hose to the exhaust, (illegal in most countries but the convicts down here don’t care ) no codes or EGR/DPF issues ever since, 80, 000km when I made the changes. oil and diesel soot don’t mix well, and you don’t get that oily build up in the inlet manifold you see all over YouTube, just the sooty dust which is no issues for the DPF.
Zero problems.

[marknewman]

every 6k, end of, fully synthetic only, and don`t forget your transmission oil, well worth doing at 90k or so .

[briankress]

I Using AMSOIL signature series and I have a twin turbo engine. I change it at 5000 miles that may be a little excessive but it’s a $60, 000 car so far 3000 to 4000 miles longer isn’t worth it to me.

[paulbusfield]

Hi great video vry interesting ! I have a dessel with dpf etc and try to change the oil aprox 3, 000 miles ! Like you say the dpf oil has to work much harder ! My car is a ssangyon rexton 2022 18, 000 miles and tryed febi 0w30c2 oil, quite expensive but I felt and could see mpg difference ! But i am considering using a oil additive, liqui molly molygen motor protect! Just wondering if its a good idea or not ! Would love to get that extra smooth running, tad bit more mpg but am concerned if it would a negative affect ! Whats your thoughts please ! I use millers dessel eco boost with great results ! Great channel really enjoy watching ! Thanks 👍

[christophermccall]

I seen a video with a guy that was a engineer/mechanic guy with the Nissan sports car, he said the best thing to do is change your oil every 5, 000 miles. It doesn't matter if its cheap oil if your changing it every 5, 000 miles is the best, he said. I know you can big bottles of oil for under £100 so I may just buy 5w40 one and change 5, 000 miles and this time send it away for examination of the oil and see the Results.

[carlovanrijk]

I have a 2016 Honda Civic with the 2.0L i4, non-turbo engine. As I drive a lot of hwy miles, I change my oil every 3 months or 6700 miles.

[motleydude]

Just follow your manufacturers recommendations end of. The people who built it know best.

[markwarnberg]

Rarelly see conventional oil on the market these days. Pretty much all the oil sold is Group 3 Full Synthetic.
The 100% PAO Synthetic is Group 4 and intended for high performance engines with thight oil changes.
The older the car the more often the oil will need to be changed ....between 5000km. - 10, 000km.

[stuartwayne]

Mileage shmileage...LoL ..the only way to determine oil change intervals is like this. First, look up the oil capacity in the crankcase for your model. Then multiply by the constant of 200. Ex.. oil capacity is 5 litres, then x 200 = 1000 litres. Change your oil every 1000 litres of fuel burned. That's it. Mileage intervals are a scam because we can't discern how much is city or highway miles, thus they're unreliable.