If you manage a lot of vehicles like trucks or vans, you know it’s important to keep them working well without spending too much money. Changing the oil is a big part of that. Oil helps the engine run smoothly, but how often should you really change it? Some people think it’s okay to wait longer between oil changes, but others worry that it could cause problems.
In this article, we’ll talk about whether it’s safe to extend the time between oil changes and how to find the right balance between saving money and keeping your vehicles or machines in good condition.
How Often Should You Change Oil in a Fleet?
If you manage a lot of vehicles, like trucks or vans, keeping them in good shape without spending too much money is really important. One big part of that is changing the oil. Every vehicle needs clean oil to run well. But how often should you change the oil? That’s the big question.
Why Oil Changes Matter
The oil keeps the engine running smoothly. Over time, oil gets dirty and doesn’t work as well. If you don’t change it, the engine can get damaged. That’s why oil changes are a regular part of maintenance.
Can You Wait Longer Between Oil Changes?
Car companies today are making engines and oils that can go longer between oil changes. For example, some new cars can go 10,000 to 15,000 miles before needing an oil change. BMW does the same for some of their vehicles. But not everyone agrees with waiting that long.
What Do Fleet Managers Do?
Fleet managers are the people who take care of company vehicles. Some of them still like to change oil more often. They believe it keeps the engine safer.
Driving Style Makes a Big Difference
If your vehicles are driving in heavy traffic, stop-and-go a lot, or carrying heavy stuff, the oil gets dirty faster. That means you should change it more often.
Every Fleet Is Different
Some managers change oil every 3,000 miles, and others follow the car company’s advice of 7,500 miles or more. It depends on how the vehicles are used.
Oil Change Plans Can Save You Money
Let’s say you manage 1,000 vehicles. If you switch from changing oil every 3,000 miles to every 5,000 miles, you could save up to $40,000 a year! That’s a big deal.
Don’t Go Over the Limit
Whatever plan you choose, never wait longer than what the car company says. If something goes wrong and you don’t follow their rules, they might not fix the car under warranty—and that can cost a lot.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
There isn’t one simple answer to how often you should change your oil. It depends on many things, such as:
- What the car manufacturer says in the owner’s manual
- The type of oil you’re using (some oils last longer than others)
- How do you drive (Do you drive fast? Do you stop a lot?)
- Where you drive (Short trips in the city can wear out oil faster than long trips on the highway)
- Weather and road conditions
- Hot weather can make oil break down faster.
- Dusty or humid air can make oil dirty quicker.
- How much you drive each year
- Even if you don’t drive much (less than 10,000 km or about 6,000 miles), it’s still a good idea to change your oil at least once a year.
The best thing to do is always check your car’s owner’s manual. It tells you how often to change your oil based on your car’s needs.
New Cars vs. Older Cars
- Newer cars often need synthetic or synthetic-blend oil, which lasts longer.
- Older cars that use regular engine oil may need oil changes more often.
Your Driving Habits Matter
If you:
- Drive short distances in traffic
- Carry heavy loads
- Drive in very hot, cold, or dusty places.
You might need to change your oil more often.
What Helps?
Many newer cars have special sensors that tell you when your oil needs changing. Older cars usually list two oil change schedules—one for regular driving and one for “tough” driving.
Brand New Car? Stick to the Plan!
If your car is new, it’s super important to follow the oil change schedule exactly. If you don’t, you could lose your warranty, which means you’d have to pay for repairs yourself.
How Often Should You Change Your Engine Oil?
Changing your engine oil is an important part of keeping your car running well. But how often should you do it?
For most cars, you should change the oil somewhere between 5,000 to 30,000 kilometres (that’s about 3,000 to 19,000 miles). In some special cases, cars can even go up to 50,000 kilometres (about 31,000 miles) before needing an oil change. It all depends on the type of oil you use and how you drive your car.
A long time ago, people used to change their oil every 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles). This is still true for older cars that use regular oil. But today, many cars use synthetic oil, which lasts much longer. Newer cars with synthetic oil usually need an oil change every 12,000 kilometres (7,000 miles).
Some car companies even say you can wait for 12,000 to 24,000 kilometres (about 7,000 to 15,000 miles) before changing the oil. But if you’re not sure or want to be safe, a good idea is to change your oil every 6 months. That’s about as often as you should rotate your tires, too.
So, remember: check your car manual, use good oil, and don’t forget to change it to keep your car happy and healthy!
Extending Oil Change Intervals on Heavy Mining Equipment
Changing the oil in heavy mining equipment can be tricky. These machines often get dirt in their engines or have leaks, so oil changes are needed more often to keep everything working right.
While changing oil and filters less often can save money, it’s important not to wait too long. If you do, it could damage the engine, cause breakdowns, and lead to expensive repairs. So, it’s all about finding the right balance between saving money and keeping the machines running smoothly.
Why Some Companies Want to Change Oil Less Often
Changing oil and filters costs more than just buying the oil. Other hidden costs make companies try to find better ways to keep the oil clean and the machines working well for a longer time.
A study showed that the real cost of an oil change is 40 times more than just the price of the oil. The same thing happens with filter changes. Here’s why oil changes can cost so much:
- Lost work time – Machines can’t work while getting an oil change.
- Paperwork – Keeping track of schedules, reports, and orders
- Labour costs – Paying workers to change the oil and supervise
- Storage and handling – Buying, storing, and testing oil and filters, plus getting rid of used oil safely
By understanding all these extra costs, companies can make smarter choices about when to change oil and how to keep their equipment in the best shape without wasting money.
If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Fix It
Sometimes, oil or lubricant can last a long time without needing to be changed. It depends on things like how much oil is being used, how hot the engine gets, how much oil is in the system, and how clean the oil stays.
Changing the oil can come with some risks, like:
- Adding the wrong type of oil by mistake
- Contaminating the oil with dirt or other substances
- Stirring up dirt that has settled at the bottom of the tank
- Making mistakes when restarting the machine, like not opening certain lines, forgetting to remove cleaning chemicals, or loosening parts that shouldn’t be
Because oil changes can be risky and expensive, it’s usually best to leave the oil alone unless it’s really needed. Please pay attention to how the oil looks and works, and only change it when it’s necessary.
Establishing Longer Oil Change Intervals
To set up longer oil change intervals, follow these steps:
- Create a fleet profile – This means gathering information about your equipment, how hard it works, the conditions it operates in, and how you take care of it.
- Estimate oil change intervals and possible savings – Figure out how often you can change the oil and how much money it might save you.
- Assess the risks – Think about what might go wrong if you wait longer between oil changes.
- Test on a small group – Try the new oil change schedule on just a few pieces of equipment to see if it works well.
- Use the new interval after testing – Once you’ve tested it and things are running smoothly, you can apply the new oil change schedule to all your equipment.
A fleet profile helps describe the equipment, how hard it works, and how it’s maintained. Different engine models use oil in different ways, and some engines may use more or less oil depending on the equipment. Also, different machines burn fuel and oil at different rates based on how hard they’re working.
It’s important to consider both the oil and the engine when figuring out oil change intervals. Studies show that one litre of oil can handle the contamination from burning 300 litres of fuel. High-quality oils can handle even more, about 500 litres of fuel.
Final Thoughts
In the end, deciding how often to change the oil in your vehicle or equipment depends on several factors, like the type of oil you use, how often you drive, and the conditions your vehicle faces. While extending oil change intervals can save money, it’s important to make sure you’re not risking damage to your engine or equipment.
Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and pay attention to how your vehicles or machines are used. By finding the right balance, you can save money while keeping everything running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs. Remember, regular maintenance is key to making sure your vehicles and equipment last as long as possible!
FAQs
Q1: Is it harmful to change the oil too often?
Changing your oil too often isn’t bad for the engine, but it’s usually not needed and can waste oil.
Q2: What happens if you wait too long for an oil change?
If you wait too long, the oil can turn into sludge, clog your engine, and cause serious damage, like the engine seizing up. It’s important to change your oil on time!
Q3: Do I need to change engine oil if I don’t drive much?
Yes, even if you don’t drive much, it’s a good idea to change your oil twice a year to avoid moisture buildup in the engine.
