Changing engine oil every six months or five thousand miles (whichever is first) appears to be the ‘gold standard’ now…but, are there no better alternatives?
Have you ever heard the saying: ‘Engine oil is cheap, engines are not’? I have — and, at first, it sounds like real, badass wisdom – except it isn’t when looked at closely.
Engine oil, after all, is just a fraction of an engine’s cost and it takes next to nothing to change it, right?
Well, up to a point, then, WRONG.
Below are my reasons.
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Table of Contents
Why Getting an Oil Change Every Six Months (Or 5,000 Miles) Isn’t the Best Use of Your Money
There are a billion and one reasons why changing your engine oil at the slightest excuse (read: 5,000 miles or six months – whichever is first) isn’t the smartest thing you should be doing with your money or time.
However, outlined below are the most notorious.
1. Engine Oil Isn’t Cheap in Most of the World
If you live in Western Europe or North America, there’s no arguing it: engine oil is so cheap that it’s the equivalent of an hour’s wage – or less.
Elsewhere, the rules are different.
In Nigeria for example, the national minimum wage of N30,000 ($25) will barely buy a gallon of Mobil 1 Synthetic Engine Oil.
Now, that’s a whole month’s wage, for less than the price of a jug of oil!
And, before you ‘lecture’ me on that ‘fact’ that most folks who use cars aren’t minimum wage earners, sorry to burst your bubble: in Nigeria (and most of the ‘developing’ world), they are.
Or, have little difference with minimum wage earners.
It’s terrible economics to use a month’s wage, all of it, to buy a jug of engine oil for your daily driver; engine oil that will be out again in a few months…
2. Chances of Getting Bad Engine Oil Are Higher When You Change Oil More Frequently…
The more you do something, the more your chances of ‘getting hit’ increase.
A biker, for instance, has a higher chance of running into an accident compared to someone who’s hardly ever on the road, especially if such a biker is into stunts and displays.
This is what happens when you decide to change your engine oil more than it’s reasonable in the name of whatever you decide on or hold dear.
Very important to note is that, effectively, you increase the chances of fake engine oils getting into your car’s engine and ruining what you’re desperately trying to protect in the first instance.
This isn’t cool, when looked closely at. Why risk it?
3. It’s a Plain Waste of Money!
Finally, it’s a plain waste of money; money that could have gone to good use, especially if you live in a place where such amounts of money can be put to use to achieve important things.
Why change your oil earlier if you can delay doing the same with no negative consequences?
It’s not cheap insurance, it’s plain old wastefulness!
What You Should Do Instead
Instead of wasting money on an engine oil change and risking something going wrong twice a year, why not reduce the chance by going once a year and extending the OCI from six months to a calendar year?
This is possible – and very safe. This is exactly what I have been doing for the past series of years and my cars have all been thankful.
However, to achieve this longer engine oil runtime, some things must be in place:
- Make certain that you’re using an engine oil that is rated for such long/extended use, such as the Mobil 1 Extended Performace Synthetic Engine Oil.
- Get an engine oil filter that is also similarly rated – such as the Mobil 1 Extended Performance Oil Filter or the Fram Ultra Synthetic Oil Filter.
- Finally, stay on top of your maintenance, especially when it comes to servicing parts like the PCV valve. This is non-negotiable.
Instances Where You Should Not Go Beyond the 6 Months Mark…
Running an OCI beyond the 6 months/5,000 mile mark is perfectly fine – and there’s little to worry about, usually.
However, there are instances where it simply isn’t a great idea:
- If you drive a directly injected vehicle. Oil dilution is real.
- If you have a vehicle that is still covered by warranty, best not to try longer OCI. This may void the warranty.
- Vehicles used in a ‘heavy’ manner should generally avoid longer OCIs: police cars, racing cars, vehicles used in towing etc. For these types of vehicles, you should consider even running an OCI shorter than what its manufacturer states.
- When not using a dedicated long drain oil filter it’s best to stop things at the safe mark of 6 months or 5k miles.
- Finally, if you’re not to be bothered with things like servicing or changing PCV valves, it’s best to stick with what your manufacturer recommends.
Summary
Changing your vehicle’s engine oil every 5k miles or 6 months isn’t the smartest thing you can do with your engine and money.
It’s as senseless as using plain old miles to change your engine oil.
However, before you consider this route, be sure that you know what you’re doing by making sure that it’s the best option for you.
If unsure, remember that longer OCIs are a luxury for those who know what they are doing. In moments of confusion or uncertainty, always go with your manufacturer.
Further Reading
Here’s some further reading you should consider, if you’re interested in reading further about longer OCIs: Can you go 20k miles without an oil change? An honest answer.