Regular oil maintenance is essential for your vehicle’s health and longevity. Based on current automotive standards as of 2025, here’s what you need to know about checking and changing your car’s oil.

Checking Your Engine Oil

Recommended frequency for checking oil:

  • Check your oil level at each fuel stop or at least once a month4
  • Perform more frequent checks if your vehicle has high mileage or known oil consumption issues
  • Visual inspection of oil on the dipstick can help detect issues before they become serious

How to check properly:

  • Check when the engine is cool and on level ground for accurate readings
  • Look for dark, gritty texture or burnt smell, which indicates it’s time for a change regardless of mileage12
  • Pay attention to oil level – if it’s dropping quickly between changes, consult a mechanic as this may indicate a leak or consumption issue4

Oil Change Intervals

The days of changing oil every 3,000 miles are largely behind us. Modern engines and improved oil formulations have extended recommended intervals significantly123. Current recommendations in 2025 vary based on several factors:

By Vehicle Age and Oil Type

  • Modern vehicles (2020 and newer) with synthetic oil: 7,500-10,000 miles159
  • Older vehicles (10+ years): 3,000-5,000 miles1
  • Full synthetic oil users: Up to 10,000-15,000 miles depending on manufacturer specifications34
  • Conventional oil users: 3,000-5,000 miles1

By Vehicle and Usage Type

  • Toyota models (2025): Generally 7,500-10,000 miles for most models5
  • Nissan models: 5,000-7,500 miles with synthetic oil12
  • Hybrid vehicles: Typically 10,000 miles with synthetic oil5
  • Performance vehicles: More frequent intervals, often 6,000-7,500 miles5
  • Frequent stop-and-go driving: 5,000 miles1
  • Heavy towing or extreme weather conditions: 3,000-5,000 miles14

Time-Based Recommendations

Even if you don’t reach the mileage threshold, you should change your oil:

  • At least once per year regardless of mileage479
  • Every 6 months for some vehicles or driving conditions8
  • Follow manufacturer time intervals for low-mileage drivers79

Factors That Affect Oil Change Frequency

Several conditions might require more frequent oil changes than the standard recommendations:

  1. Driving habits: Short trips (under 5 miles) prevent the engine from reaching optimal temperature, accelerating oil breakdown1
  2. Environmental conditions: Extreme heat, cold, or dusty environments degrade oil faster46
  3. Vehicle use: Towing, hauling heavy loads, or driving in mountainous terrain puts additional stress on the engine14
  4. Oil quality: Synthetic oils generally last longer than conventional oils134

Modern Oil Monitoring Systems

Many newer vehicles come equipped with oil-life monitoring systems that calculate when an oil change is needed based on:

  • Distance driven
  • Operating conditions
  • Engine temperature
  • Number of cold starts

While these systems are generally reliable, experts recommend not pushing significantly beyond their alerts912.

Balancing Manufacturer vs. Mechanic Recommendations

There’s often a discrepancy between manufacturer recommendations (often 7,500-15,000 miles) and what mechanics suggest (typically 5,000 miles)10. This has sparked debate in the automotive community:

  • Manufacturers may extend intervals to reduce maintenance costs during the warranty period15
  • Some oil analysis tests show breakdown occurring before manufacturer-recommended intervals1011
  • A conservative approach (5,000-7,500 miles for most vehicles) balances cost savings with engine protection

Conclusion

For most modern vehicles using synthetic oil, changing oil every 5,000-7,500 miles or at least once a year provides good protection. However, always consult your owner’s manual for vehicle-specific recommendations, and consider more frequent changes if you drive in severe conditions. Regularly checking your oil level between changes remains one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your engine and extend its life.