How often should you change your oil in a car?

Keeping your car’s engine oil topped up helps everything run smoothly under the hood. Without it, the engine would seize up, leaving you at the side of the road with a big problem (and an even bigger bill!).

Over time, car oil breaks down and picks up dirt and particles that can damage or strain engine parts. So even if you’re diligent at keeping your oil nice and full, eventually it’ll need to be drained and replaced.

But how often should you change the oil in your car, and how do you know when it is time to do it?

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of when to change your car’s oil, and what you should be looking out for.

When to change car oil

When to change car oil depends on a whole host of things, like the kind of oil you’re using, the type of transmission, and whether your car runs on petrol or diesel, so it’s a good idea to know the specifics for your car. Driving conditions are also a factor, with things like towing, stop-start driving, and driving in mountainous terrain all making your car work harder and your oil wear sooner.

You can check the owner’s manual for the recommended intervals from the manufacturer, but to give you a general idea we’ve highlighted some different types of oil and when you should change them below.

When to change engine oil

So how often should you change your engine oil? Generally, you’ll want to get an oil change every 10,000KM to 15,000KM, or every 6-12 months. It can vary though, and if you’re doing lots of stop-start driving, or towing a big load, you may need to change it sooner rather than later.

If you leave it too long, you risk overheating your engine, damaging parts as they scrape against each other, and engine failure.

How often to change gearbox oil

Changing gearbox oil every 48,000-80,000 km will keep your gears shifting smoothly, and keep the engine from heating up. This oil doesn’t need to be changed as much as engine oil, but you still need to keep on top of it to avoid costly problems.

For a manual gearbox oil change, how often you do it also depends on a few factors just like engine oil, such as hauling heavy loads and doing a lot of city driving.

So if you’re wondering how often to change gearbox oil, take note of your driving habits, and check the owner’s manual for the recommendations—or give your friendly mycar mechanic a call and we can help you out!

Diesel engine oil change frequency

Diesel engine oil is a bit different to petrol engine oil, as it needs more additives to combat the extra soot produced. Its role is to prevent blockages, help the diesel particulate filter (DPF) to stay clean, and prevent damage to the exhaust system and engine.

If you’re wondering when to change diesel oil, you’re looking at around every 10,000 km or so. As with petrol engines, this number is an estimate and the kind of driving you do will impact how often you should get it changed. You can take a look at your diesel oil colour too, as the darker and grittier it is, the more likely it needs a change.

How often should you change your synthetic oil (in months)

You should be changing synthetic oil in your car every 12 months, or 10,000-15,000km.

Synthetic oil in your car tends to be more consistent and refined, as well as lasting longer than conventional mineral car oil. It offers better protection than regular oil as it’s manufactured to a higher standard. That said, each brand has its own process, so you’re better off spending a bit more to get a higher quality oil.

How to know when to get an oil change

Knowing the symptoms of your car’s oil going off can be the difference between a quick oil change and catastrophic damage down the road. Here’s some symptoms to keep an eye out for:

There’s plenty of reasons to keep up with your oil changes, and if you keep an eye out for signs of trouble you can help avoid disaster. And if you’re ever unsure, give your local mycar a call and we’ll sort it out!

For an easy oil change, it’s mycar

Changing your oil regularly not only makes your car run smoothly, but saves you money in the long run. It’s a part of car maintenance that every car owner can learn to help keep their cars in good nick!

For professional car servicing and repairs, head on into mycar. Our dedicated technicians can help you with oil changes, engine repairs, or any other issues with your car. With over 275 stores Australia-wide, we’re always just a hop, skip, and a jump away!

Now you’re an expert on oil changes, why not take a look at how to check your car’s oil level?