How many km between oil change?

Answer 1

The first step would be to ring a dealer or servicing specialist for your vehicle make (i.e Toyota, Audi etc) and qoute what make, model and year your car is.

Your car's oil change requirements may be very specific and require more frequent oil changes, or your car may only require spaced intervals between oil changes and this would allow you to waste money on un-needed oil changes.

Your car may have a service manual in the glove box or boot that will have very specific or recommended servicing times, although these are sometimes lost.

It is most advisable to try to obtain as accurate servicing information for your specific car as you can, as prolonged oil changes can cause your car serious damage.

As a rule of thumb, the average driver drives around 10,000 to 14,000km per year. The average oil change is about every 5,000km. So this is roughly every 5,000km or every 6 months, which ever comes first!

Alongside an oil change, the oil filter MUST be changed as well, no exceptions. Always ask your mechanic what a standard " Car Service" should include.

A basic "Car Service" should contain the following, although some mechanics may do more or less.

Check and change oil and oil filter.

Check air filter and change if necessary.

Check Transmission Fluid level.

Check coolant level and top up if necessary.

Grease and lubricate suspension and steering joints where and as fitted.

Check fuel filter and change if necessary.

Check brake fluid and change if necessary.

Check clutch fluid and top up if necessary.

Check Power Steering fluids and top up if necessary.

Check condition of brake pads for wear.

Generally check car for smooth operation of engine, transmission, hand and foot braking systems, cockpit controls, all lights/warning signals.

Notice some of these items are only checked and not changed. Some of these items are changed, not checked and it really depends on your mechanics idea of a standard cost "Car Servicing". Always ask specifically what their procedures are, if any fail yo be polite or obliging to your questions or fail to give you specific answers, just find another one. Always be polite though, you may need them if other ones are worse!