How often should you change your oil? (Honestly.)

Here's the question every customer asks us: how often should I really change my oil? The honest answer is that the old 3,000-mile rule died around 2008, but most quick-lube chains never bothered to update their wall posters.

Modern engines on full-synthetic oil go a lot longer than that. Here's the actual answer.

The short version

• Most modern cars on full-synthetic oil: every 5,000–7,500 miles.
• Severe duty (towing, stop-and-go, dusty conditions): every 3,500–5,000 miles.
• Diesel pickups: follow your manufacturer interval (usually 7,500–10,000 miles), but check your manual.
• European specialty oil: typically 10,000-mile intervals, but the oil and filter spec is non-negotiable.

If you're not sure which bucket you fall into, your owner's manual has a recommended interval. We'll match it.

Why the 3,000-mile rule died

Two things changed: oil got better, and engines got tighter. Modern full-synthetic oil holds up under heat and shear far longer than the conventional oil shops were selling in 1995. Engines also run with tighter tolerances, cleaner combustion, and better filtration. The 3,000-mile rule was conservative even back then. Today it's just a way to sell more oil changes.

What 'severe duty' actually means

Manufacturers list a 'severe duty' schedule that most owners ignore, but if you tow regularly, drive in extreme heat or cold, do a lot of stop-and-go (rideshare drivers, delivery routes), or live somewhere dusty, you're in this bucket. Cut your interval by about 25–30% from the standard schedule.

What we recommend

We'll service you on whatever cadence fits your driving. Our default for daily-driver vehicles is every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. That keeps modern engines happy without paying for service you don't need.

Schedule your next mobile oil change. We come to you, Mon–Thu, 6 AM to 6 PM.