How Long Can You Go Without an Oil Change?

Discover how long you can go without an oil change and why regular oil maintenance is crucial to engine health, fuel economy, and avoiding costly repairs.

You know that when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly, one of the best things you can do is change your oil regularly. But with busy schedules and tight budgets, even the best car owners are sometimes tempted to push it off as long as possible. So, how long can you go without an oil change, really? 

Read on to learn about the importance of oil changes, how often they should be completed, and what kind of overdue oil change symptoms you might experience if you don’t get one in time. 

Why Oil Changes Matter

Your engine consists of many moving parts — pistons, valves, camshafts, and much, much more — that need to move rapidly and smoothly to keep your car running. Engine oil provides the lubrication these components need to operate effectively. 

Unfortunately, though, engine oil isn’t eternal. With time and use, its quality degrades from heat, friction, and contamination, so regular oil changes are vital for maintaining engine performance, longevity, and fuel economy. Without clean oil, metal components can rub against each other with every piston stroke, causing wear and tear, and ultimately leading to severe engine damage.  

How Often Should You Change Your Oil? 

Historically, the recommendation has been to change your car’s oil every 3,000 miles. However, this advice comes from a time when engine technology and oil formulas weren’t as advanced as today, leading to faster oil degradation, loss of lubrication, and increased engine wear and tear. 

Nowadays, advancements in automotive technology and engine oil have significantly extended the recommended oil change intervals. Modern engines are designed with extraordinary levels of precision, and today’s oils — especially synthetic oil — are formulated to last much longer before breaking down. For most modern vehicles, the recommendation has now increased to 5,000–7,500 miles between oil changes, and in some cases, synthetic oils can endure even longer intervals, like 10,000 miles or more. 

In summary, the typical oil change intervals are:

• 3,000 miles for older vehicles
• 5,000–7500 miles for modern vehicles
• 10,000+ miles for modern vehicles that use synthetic oil

While this general guidance may be helpful, you should always refer to your owner’s manual for specific oil change intervals. 

Factors that Impact Oil Change Frequency

In addition to reading your owner’s manual for guidance, you should also consider these common factors that can impact the health of your car’s oil. 

• Vehicle Age: As engines age and experience normal wear and tear, they may consume more oil or develop leaks. Both oil leaks, which can impact oil level, and oil consumption, which can increase the amount of dirt and debris in your oil, may result in faster oil degradation. 
• Driving Habits: Towing heavy loads, driving in stop-and-go traffic, taking short trips, or spending a lot of time idling can increase stress on your engine and cause its oil to degrade faster. 
• Environmental Conditions: Driving in extreme temperatures — hot or cold — puts additional strain on your engine oil, leading to faster breakdown. Similarly, if you frequently off-road or drive in dusty environments, your engine oil may be contaminated more rapidly. 

What Happens If You Don’t Get an Oil Change? 

We get it — life is busy and getting an oil change is probably not on your list of favorite things to do. But if you postpone an oil change for too long, you may notice these symptoms: 

• Check Engine Light: Your check engine light can indicate a plethora of vehicle problems, but often, low or unchanged oil can be the cause. 
• Engine Noise: By lubricating moving parts, engine oil helps keep your engine running quietly. If your engine starts making knocking, ticking, or grinding sounds, it could be an indicator of low or bad oil. 
• Reduced Fuel Economy: Dirty or degraded oil increases friction between engine components. This heightened friction can make your engine work harder and consume more fuel. 
• Costly Repairs: Ultimately, not changing your oil can result in serious damage and even engine failure. 

At the end of the day, you’re likely to spend more time and money on repairing damages caused by overdue oil changes than you would by adhering to your vehicle’s recommended regular maintenance schedule. So, when it’s time for an oil change, the wise decision is to get one. 

Oil Changes are Easy at Ed Hicks Nissan

Oil changes are crucial to keeping your engine running smoothly, but knowing when to get one isn’t always straightforward. Instead of guessing, let the professionals at Ed Hicks Nissan take care of it. Our service center offers quick and convenient oil changes, helping you maintain your vehicle’s health without the hassle. Plus, with our express service option, you can get in and out in no time. Visit Ed Hicks Nissan today or schedule an appointment online to keep your engine performing at its best.