Oil Changes: How Often, What It Costs, and Where to Go

7 Rules for Changing Your Car’s Oil

Check your owner’s manual. The automaker’s prescribed routine and recommended oil type and viscosity are there.
Make sure you change it at least twice a year, no matter how few miles you drive.
The old “every 3 months or 3,000 miles” is largely not true any more; engines have become more efficient and oils have become more capable over time. Again, check your owner’s manual.
Don’t let oil changes slide; oil is crucial to your engine’s longevity.
Check your oil level regularly, at least monthly, to make sure it’s still optimal.
Change your oil filter when you change your oil.
Dispose of used oil properly.

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Why Changing Your Car’s Oil Is Important

Motor oil lubricates and cools hundreds of moving engine parts to minimize friction and wear. It seals gaps to keep contamination from water and unburned fuel to a minimum. It protects your engine by keeping dirt and contaminants from collecting, and it also prevents corrosion from moisture or acids that may find their way into your engine.

To ensure maximum protection for your engine, change your car’s motor oil regularly.

Motor oil wears out when its additives have been depleted. These additives include anti-wear agents that react with metal surfaces to form a protective coating. They can also include detergent dispersants that stop sludge and contaminants from forming, and from settling on engine parts or clogging oil passages.

How Often to Change Your Oil

Most automakers recommend oil-change intervals of between 5,000 and 10,000 miles for today’s vehicles, depending on the model.

It’s always best to consult your car owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s specified schedule.

Regular Use vs. Severe Use

Our recommendation above may not completely settle the issue, because you’ll likely see two separate oil-change intervals listed in your owner’s manual: one for “normal” use and the other for “severe” operation.

For example, a car’s normal use might warrant a change every 7,500 miles, while severe driving could require a change every 3,000 miles.

As it turns out, a surprising number of drivers fall into the latter category. That’s because severe use can include subjecting your car or truck to at least one of the following conditions in a typical week:

Extensive idling in stop-and-go traffic.
Cold driving conditions (Below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Extreme heat (More than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Extreme humidity.
Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles.
Towing a trailer or hauling heavy materials.

Fortunately, many newer vehicles make it easy for drivers to know when it’s time to change the oil. Built-in oil life monitors track engine revolutions, temperature, and a motorist’s driving habits, and can more accurately predict when it’s time for new oil.

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Even if you only rack up a modest number of miles over the course of a year, you should still change a car’s oil at least every six months. That’s because as motor oil ages, it loses its effectiveness, which can lead to premature wear. Also, be sure to replace the oil filter with every change.

What About Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oils generally offer greater protection than conventional lubricants. Synthetics are slicker and can allow for smoother and cooler engine operation. That makes them best for high-performance models and vehicles used for heavy-duty towing and hauling. Synthetics also flow better in cold weather and make the engine start more easily.

Oil change intervals with full synthetics are usually recommended at an extended 10,000 miles or more.

However, full synthetics are more expensive and may not be worth the added cost for a passively driven family car. An alternative is a part-synthetic oil. This is a mix of conventional and synthetic lubricants that offers a more modest boost in protection at a lower price. Many of today’s vehicles use the part-synthetic oil.

Check your owner’s manual to see what type your car needs. Never assume you need regular oil, or synthetic.

Learn more about Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil.

What About High Mileage Oil?

If your car is older (with 75,000 miles or more on the odometer), it may benefit from high mileage oil, which is motor oil (typically synthetic) with special additives to promote engine longevity.

Keeping Track of Your Oil Changes

In the past, that little sticker in the corner of your windshield may have been the only way to know when your next oil change was due. Today, there’s an easier way to track your maintenance needs on your smartphone or computer. Use the Carfax Care Care smartphone app to get alerts for upcoming service, view your car’s maintenance history, and find trusted service shops near you.

How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?

If you do it yourself, an oil change is just the price of the oil, which is about $5 to $10 per quart for synthetic. The average car takes 5 to 8 quarts, making the grand total for a DIY oil change $25 to $80.

If you get a shop to do it, you’ll have to pay for the labor, but the oil will probably cost them a little less. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for an oil change with synthetic.

How Long Does an Oil Change Take?

An oil change is one of the quickest services you can get; it should be done in less than 1 hour.

Where Should You Get Your Oil Changed?

An oil change is easier to do yourself than most car maintenance. If you decide to do that, check out our article on How to Change Your Own Oil.

If you want to use a service shop, your best resource is Carfax’s Service Shop Directory. It has verified ratings of each service shop to help you find the best mechanics in your area. Carfax Car Care goes beyond that to help you keep track of the maintenance your car needs and give you estimates of what each service will cost.

After An Oil Change

Containers at a recycle center are designated for used oil — Photo Credit: Getty /
JodiJacobson

If you change oil by yourself, recycle the lubricant properly. Never pour it down a drain. One mishandled gallon of used oil could contaminate as much as a million gallons of drinking water. Some gas stations, auto-parts stores, and quick-lube shops in your area may accept motor oil for recycling. Check online before you begin the process.

Between oil changes, check the oil level in your car at least once a month; set a smartphone reminder for every 30 days. Driving with a low oil supply could cause engine damage. Follow the instructions on how to check the oil level that are provided in your car’s owner’s manual. Add oil when the level indicated by your engine’s dipstick reaches or drops below the “ADD” marking.