How Often Should You Really Change Your Oil?

July 3, 2026 · 3 min read

For decades the answer was "every 3,000 miles." For most modern cars, that is now overkill — you are wasting money and oil. Here is how to find the number that is actually right for your vehicle.

Check the owner's manual first

Your manufacturer's recommended interval is the one that matters. Most cars built in the last 15 years call for 5,000 to 7,500 miles on conventional oil, and many go 10,000 miles or more on full synthetic.

When to change more often

• Frequent short trips where the engine never fully warms up.
• Lots of stop-and-go city driving or towing.
• Extreme heat, cold, or dusty conditions.

Why staying on schedule pays off

Clean oil protects the most expensive part of your car — the engine. Skipping changes leads to sludge, poor fuel economy, and eventually costly wear. Staying on schedule is one of the cheapest ways to make a car last past 200,000 miles.

The trick is remembering. DIP tracks your oil changes and tire rotations by mileage and date, then reminds you before you are due — so routine maintenance never slips.