How Often Should You Really Change Your Oil?

Ask five people how often to change your oil and you'll get five answers. The honest one is: it depends on your oil, your engine, and how you drive. Here's how to figure out your real interval.

Synthetic vs. conventional

Full synthetic oil is more stable and lasts longer, most modern engines running it can go 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes, and some manufacturers spec even longer. Conventional oil breaks down faster and is closer to a 3,000–5,000 mile interval. Many newer engines require synthetic, especially turbocharged ones, so the choice may already be made for you.

The old 3,000-mile rule

That rule dates from the era of conventional oil and simpler engines. With today's synthetics it's usually overkill, but the quick-lube industry loves it. We won't tell you to come in twice as often as you need to.

Why DC-area driving is "severe"

Here's the catch: your owner's manual has a "severe service" schedule, and a lot of Arlington driving qualifies. Short trips that never fully warm the engine, stop-and-go traffic on 66 and 395, extended idling, and hot humid summers all shorten oil life. If that's your commute, lean toward the shorter end of the interval.

Signs you're overdue

• Oil-life monitor at or near 0%
• Oil on the dipstick looks black and gritty
• A faint ticking on cold start-up
• It's simply been too long or too many miles

The simplest approach: change it on your manufacturer's schedule with the right oil, and let us log your mileage so the next one's on time. An oil change is cheap; an engine isn't. Call TAB Motors at (703) 243-3080.

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