Changing the Oil in your engine is one of the most important routine maintenance jobs and should always be done, at the very least in accordance with the manufacturers instructions if not more often. Different cars require oil changing at different intervals, however remember that you cannot change the oil too often. Remember that the oil filter will hold oil, even if you drain the engine, so change this every time you change the oil, otherwise you are mixing dirt oil with the new as soon as you start on the engine.

When deciding how often to change the oil consider the job it has to do. Your engine is full of accurately machined pieces of metal, moving past each other at up to 8 thousand times per minute. The oil has to provide lubrication for all these surfaces at the full range of operating pressures and temperatures. Oil carries burnt carbon and as the oil stays in the engine for more time becomes black with this carbon. If the oil is not changed eventually some of the smaller oilways in the engine will block and parts of the engine will wear or seize.

To be safe stick to the manufacturers rules whilst the car is under 3 years old, take the lower of the time or mileage allowed. Once the car gets passed this point do as often as time and funds allow, certainly not a lot more than 6 months or 6000 miles. Also if you carry out any major engine works change the oil immediately and then after 500 miles to flush out the engine.

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