{"id":58450,"date":"2023-06-14T09:20:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T08:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carmart.africa\/blog\/?p=58450"},"modified":"2023-06-14T09:20:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T08:20:02","slug":"should-car-engine-oil-be-changed-based-on-mileage-or-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carlots.ng\/motoring\/should-car-engine-oil-be-changed-based-on-mileage-or-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Should Car Engine Oil be Changed Based on Mileage or Time?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One thing about vehicles is that they require regular servicing and maintenance, and owners who regularly service their cars keep them longer and healthier. One of the most important car maintenance<\/a> tasks and also the simplest task is, changing car oil. But not all car owners know when it\u2019s the best time to change oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question in the minds of most car owners is usually: should I change my car\u2019s oil based on the time that\u2019s passed since the last service or based on the vehicle mileage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we explain all you need to know about the best time to change car oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importance of Oil to Cars & Why Car Oil Needs to be Changed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5 Mistakes That You Do while Changing Your Car’s Engine Oil That Can Badly Affect It<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cars have many moving parts<\/a>, especially vehicle engines powered by gas. Those are the ones that require car oil<\/a> changes regularly. In a gas-powered vehicle, the engine is one of its most complex pieces of machinery, and all those moving parts create friction when they touch one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where using engine oil comes in. It\u2019s the lubricant for those car parts that reduces the amount of friction between them. Less friction means less heat, which means less wear and tear on some of the most integral parts of a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drivers who don\u2019t change their car\u2019s oil regularly risk causing significant damage to their car\u2019s engine. In the worst-case scenario, a vehicle with a malfunctioning engine can lead to overheating or total engine failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing Car Oil by Date or Time: Which is Better? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most routine car maintenance should be performed regularly, either around a certain number of miles or a specific amount of time; usually, oil changes are between 3,000 and 10,000 miles. The exact mileage<\/a> will depend on the marque and model of the car. This information is often included for drivers in the vehicle owner\u2019s manual or maintenance guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to follow the manufacturer\u2019s recommendation, especially when choosing engine oil for a vehicle. However, not everyone drives their vehicle every day. Some people barely use up a lot of mileage in their cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car owners in those circumstances should still get their car\u2019s oil changed about every six months. Car experts explain that even when you\u2019re not regularly using your car, the oil will still degrade over time. Eventually, the oil will go bad, and it won\u2019t be able to do its job either. That\u2019s why the time between oil changes matters as much as the mileage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if your vehicle maintenance guide recommends an oil change every five months or 5,000 miles, treat that as saying, \u201cEvery five months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes first<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Routine Maintenance Cars Need<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oil changes are not the only routine vehicle maintenance tips<\/a>. Other routine services can reduce the amount of ageing on a vehicle and prolong its usage. Also, care for the car\u2019s engine coolant. If the engine coolant isn\u2019t replaced often enough, the car\u2019s moving parts can suffer corrosive damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n