When to change the oil in a car engine

Many drivers are interested in the question of when and how often it is worth changing the engine oil. There is no single answer to this age-old question. On the one hand, you have a service book on hand, which indicates the intervals in kilometers and in time: at least once a year, or every 20, 30 or 40 thousand kilometers, depending on the brand of car. But you need to remember that these instructions refer to ideal conditions of use:

• clean and smooth roads without dust and dirt;
• the engine has time to fully warm up during daily trips;
• you do not stand in traffic jams for a long time with the engine running;
• good quality fuel without various contaminants;
• temperate climate without frosty winters and hot summers.

If the operating conditions of your car correspond to those listed above, then you can fully trust the manufacturer's instructions. If the car is still new, then you don’t have to worry at all, just drive it to the service station for warranty service and an oil change.

However, if we analyze the operating conditions of a car in Russia, then we are faced with directly opposite factors, for which service instructions should be slightly adjusted. Experienced motorists advise dividing the mileage indicated by the manufacturer in half, or even better, call the nearest auto mechanics to check the quality of the oil.

Basically, you can do it yourself. It is enough to measure the oil level with a dipstick 10-15 minutes after the engine has stopped. Drop oil on a napkin, a clean lubricant that does not need to be replaced will spread evenly in a small circle over the paper, but if the oil is dark, thick and after drying a black spot with soot particles remains on the paper, replacement is needed immediately.

The following factors should also be taken into account:

• type of oil (mineral water, semi-synthetics, synthetics), mineral oil is made from by-products of oil distillation and different manufacturers advise changing it very often - after 5-8 thousand km, semi-synthetics - 10-15 thousand km, synthetics - 15-20;
• age and type of engine - for diesel engines, oil changes are required more often than for gasoline ones, the older the car, the more often an oil change is needed;
• operating conditions - severe operating conditions are just the opposite of those indicated above.

In order not to bother once again, just regularly check the oil level, if it is clean, but the level is slightly lower - top up to the desired mark, but if traces of soot and soot appear, change it.

How to easily and most importantly change the oil in a car engine

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