Oil Changes: What’s the Right Oil for My Car?

Article summary

• Regular oil changes are essential for engine health. Engine oil lubricates moving parts, manages heat and carries contaminants to the oil filter. Over time, oil breaks down and loses its effectiveness, leading to increased friction and potential engine failure if not replaced.
• Choosing the right oil matters. Check your owner's manual or oil-fill cap to find the correct viscosity and oil specifications for your vehicle. While synthetic oil offers better performance and longer intervals between changes, some vehicles require it exclusively, so always follow your manufacturer's recommendations.
• Oil change frequency and cost vary by vehicle and driving habits. Factors like oil type, mileage, age and driving conditions all influence how often you should change your oil. Professional oil changes typically cost between $30 and $100, while a DIY approach can save money over time, though it requires an upfront investment in tools and equipment.

For vehicles that still rely on fossil fuels, one of the most important preventive maintenance procedures that you can do to ensure the health and longevity of your vehicle is an oil change. However, choosing the right motor oil for your vehicle isn’t always straightforward. As a driver, you must consider whether you’re going with conventional or synthetic, what viscosity you need, what the manufacturer recommends and whether you need a high-mileage blend. Using the recommended oil and following your manufacturer’s guidelines for timely oil changes will help protect your engine and reduce wear and tear.

So, what does an oil change do? What oil should you use? How often should you change your oil? How much does an oil change cost? You’ll learn the answers to these questions and more below.

What does an oil change do?

Engine oil is an essential lubricant that protects internal engine components. It reduces friction and wear on moving engine parts, helps manage engine heat, and carries contaminants and debris to the oil filter.

During an oil change, the following steps are taken to refresh the oil:

• Drain old engine oil
• Replace oil filter
• Add new oil to your vehicle

If you do it yourself, be sure to recycle the old oil at an auto parts store like NAPA Auto Parts, which will ensure your oil is properly disposed of.

Why is an oil change important?

Old oil deteriorates, losing its effectiveness. In an engine’s high-heat environment, oil eventually breaks down, reducing its ability to lubricate and protect engine components. Additionally, dirt, combustion byproducts and other contaminants contribute to the build-up of sludge, restricting the flow of oil to the engine. If the oil cannot properly lubricate your engine, friction and heat will increase, which accelerates the degradation of moving parts. Eventually, this could lead to total engine failure.

What oil do I need?

If you don’t know what kind of oil your vehicle requires, there are a few places you can check.

• Your vehicle’s owner’s manual
• The oil fill cap
• Online manufacturer resources
• Auto service center

There are two key things you should look out for when researching your vehicle’s oil requirements:

• Viscosity/weight: This number (e.g., 5W-30) describes how easily the oil flows at different temperatures. If the oil is too thick, it might not circulate very well. If it’s too thin, it may not adequately protect moving parts.
  • First number + W (Winter): This number describes how easily the oil flows at lower temperatures.
  • Second number: This describes the thickness of the oil at normal operating temperatures.
• Oil specifications/standards: This is the performance standard for your vehicle.

You should not make personal decisions on thicker or thinner oil based on climate or personal preference if that preference contradicts the manufacturer’s vehicle recommendations.

What is the difference between conventional and synthetic oil? Can you switch between them?

The difference between conventional and synthetic oil lies in the composition.

• Conventional oil is refined, petroleum-based oil that is typically a more cost-effective option.
• Synthetic oil is a more extensively engineered oil that has been refined for consistent performance and greater protection. Synthetic oil can offer certain advantages over conventional oil, but it is usually more expensive. Advantages include:
  • Better performance
  • Resistant to breaking down
  • Could allow for more time between service intervals

Note: While synthetic oil can increase the time between oil services, it is not advisable to deviate from the manufacturer’s service recommendations.

Synthetic oil is optional for many vehicles, and you can generally change between conventional and synthetic oil without harming your vehicle as long as the oil meets your vehicle’s viscosity and oil specifications. However, it’s important to note that some vehicles require synthetic oil only. If this is the case for your vehicle, DO NOT replace it with conventional oil.

How often should you change your oil?

For a long time, the general rule of thumb was an oil change every 3,000 miles. With today’s vehicles, driving habits and vehicle specs will influence the frequency of changes. The following are common factors in determining the frequency of changing your oil:

• Vehicle make and engine design
• Oil type
• Mileage
• Age
• Driving in extreme environments
• Extensive idling
• Using the vehicle to tow a trailer or another vehicle
• Frequent short trips

Most modern vehicles are equipped with an oil-life monitoring system that will help you to determine when your vehicle needs an oil change. Be sure to refer to your manufacturer’s recommendations for any questions involving frequency.

Should you add oil to your vehicle between changes?

Some oil consumption between services can be normal, so you might have to top off your oil occasionally. Adding oil occasionally doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, but adding oil frequently could signal the following:

• A leak
• Excessive oil consumption
• Damaged engine components

If you believe you are experiencing any of these issues, bring your vehicle into a service center for a diagnostic.

Is dark oil a problem?

When oil is fresh, it’s typically an amber color. Over time, it darkens as it circulates through the engine. Just because it turns dark doesn’t mean a change is required.

When should you use high-mileage oil?

High-mileage oils contain special additives to condition seals and address some age-related issues. These oils are generally recommended for vehicles that have been driven 75,000 miles or more. However, reaching this milestone doesn’t necessarily require you to use high-mileage oil. For your vehicle’s best practices, refer to your manufacturer’s recommendation.

Where do I get an oil change? How much does an oil change cost?

There are a few different avenues you can go through to get your oil changed:

• AAA-owned Car Care Center
• AAA Approved Auto Repair facility
• Independent repair shops
• Dedicated oil change shops
• Dealership service departments
• DIY

The cost of an oil change can range from $30-$100 at a lube shop. This number varies by vehicle, amount of oil needed, type of oil, oil filter specs, labor rates and any additional services that the shop performs. Changing the oil yourself can be a little cheaper over time, but there is an upfront cost.

Costs of a DIY oil change include:

• Oil and oil filter: $30-$45
• Tools and equipment (e.g., floor jack, oil filter wrench, funnel, drain pan): Varies, depending upon what you already own, but expect the initial cost to be $30-$100

Oil helps to manage heat and keeps your engine’s internal components from prematurely failing due to friction and wear. Regular oil changes are essential for maintaining your vehicle’s engine health. Be sure to consult your manufacturer’s oil change recommendations to know what oil is best for your vehicle and how often you should change it for optimal engine efficiency.