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How often to change the engine oil?

Determining when to change engine oil in a car, most drivers are guided by the odometer. On the recommendation of the manufacturer, the frequency of the procedure should be (depending on the brand of car) every 10-15 thousand kilometers.

However, one cannot be categorical in this matter. The frequency of replacing engine oil does not directly depend on the mileage of the vehicle, but on the operation of the power unit. What affects the quality of the lubricant?

What affects the frequency of replacement

Engine oil must be changed so that the engine is cleaned of the resulting development. Also, burnt grease becomes thicker and ceases to cope with its purpose (to provide lubrication to the surface of rubbing parts). Therefore, first of all, the frequency of its replacement depends on how quickly burnout occurs.

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This is influenced by many factors. Here are the main ones.

  • Temperature regime of the engine. Gasoline, propane and diesel heat the power unit when burned. Modern engines can heat up to 115 degrees. If the internal combustion engine often overheats, it “gets old” faster.
  • Type of oil. There are three main types of lubricants. It is synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral. All of them have their density and boiling point. Using the wrong brand will shorten the term use of the grease.
  • The ingress of coolant and fuel into the oil changes the characteristics of the lubricant. However, in this case, before changing it, you need to find and eliminate the reason why the foreign liquid got into the oil. Often this problem indicates a violation of the tightness of the connection between the cylinder block and the cylinder head (gasket replacement will be required).

Additional factors

The following are factors that depend on the driver and the operating conditions of the machine.

  • The mode of operation of the motor. When the car often drives at low speed or moves slowly in traffic jams, the oil does not cool well, which also reduces the interval for changing it due to overheating.
  • Driving mode. One of the key factors on which the quality of engine oil depends. In urban mode, the driver more often accelerates and decelerates. Therefore, a trip at medium speed is almost impossible. Driving on a level road keeps the oil temperature at the same level. This happens even at high speed (but within the permissible number of engine revolutions).
  • Loads on the cylinder-piston group. Driving on prolonged ascents and descents, as well as driving with a heavy trailer increases the load on the motor. Because of this, the oil temperature on the oil scraper rings of the pistons increases, which reduces its working life.

Correct oil change interval

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As you can see, MOT should not be based on the mileage of the car. To do this, experts have developed a special formula that determines when in reality you need to make a replacement. The result of this formula is hours. That is, it calculates the engine operating time.

For example, the machine manufacturer has set a deadline for replacing engine oil at 10 thousand kilometers. If the driver often drives on the highway, then he will travel this distance in 100 hours at a speed of 100 km / h. However, the lubricant will still be suitable for use. But if you move in the "city" mode with a cruising speed of 25 kilometers / hour, then the car will work about 500 hours. In this case, the oil will be black during replacement. As you can see, the same distance affects the state of the oil differently.

Specialists' calculations

As already noted, the frequency of visits to service stations also depends on the brand of oil. Below is a table that allows you to determine these intervals, relying on the hours already. Data provided by American Petroleum Institute.

Motor oil brand Estimated Hours
Mineral (15W40) 150
Semi-Synthetic (10W40) 250
Synthetic (5W40):  
Hydrocracking (0W40) 300 - 350
Based on polyalphaolefins (5W40) 350 - 400
Based on polyesters and diesters (ester) (7.5W40) 400 - 450

To calculate the number of hours, the car must be equipped with an electronic control unit. Among other things, the device calculates the average speed of the car for the distance traveled. Calculations are carried out according to the following formula. The number of hours (indicated in the table) is multiplied by the average speed (ECU indicator). The result will be the necessary regulations: maximum mileage, after which maintenance of the power unit will be required.

Why do I need regular oil changes?

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Any lubricant, whether synthetics, semisynthetics, or mineral water, consists of a certain amount of additives. Depending on the manufacturer, they have their own "shelf life", or resource, in which additives remain in their original condition. In some cases, an oil change may be required after a certain amount of time.

When the car is idle for too long, the additives in the oil begin to decay. As a result, the motor will not be protected, even at an ideal level on the probe. Therefore, some manufacturers recommend replacing them at intervals of several months, or once a year.

Of course, each driver must decide when to change engine oil. It should be based on the individual parameters of the vehicle, the loads on the motor and the technical parameters of the engine.

In addition, watch a short video on oil change intervals:

Engine Oil Change Interval

Common questions:

Where to fill the engine oil? There is a special oil filler neck for this. An image of an oil can can be applied to its cover. This throat is located on the motor itself.

How many kilometers do I need to change the oil? This figure depends on the car model. Basically, the interval is 10-15 thousand kilometers, or once a year if the car drives off abruptly.

What filters to change when changing the oil? Since the oil change is carried out as part of routine maintenance, the oil, fuel, air and cabin filters should be replaced with this fluid.

How often do you need to change the oil at low mileage? The regulation for changing the oil in the engine is from 10 to 15 thousand kilometers, or with low mileage, once a year. In some machines, the system itself determines the replacement time.

What happens if you do not change the oil for 2 years? Long shelf life of oil is permissible only in sealed original packaging. When it enters the engine, oxygen begins to act on it, and the lubricant undergoes oxidation.

What happens if you change the oil frequently? During the oil change, while the new lubricant is pumped through the channels of the motor, it experiences oil starvation for some time, especially if the change is made in winter. Frequent replacement exposes the motor to unnecessary stress.

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