When to change the oil in the car engine

Everything you need to know about how and when to change the engine oil.

Before understanding how to deal with a do-it-yourself engine oil change – one of those periodic checks that are always necessary – it is advisable to take a step back and focus on the functions that oil performs inside a motor vehicle . In addition to its natural lubricating action exerted on the mechanical components, the oil protects the engine from impurities , preventing the aggregation of the small soot particles that are generated when the car is started. Let’s find out how to change the car oil.

Engine oil change: how often to do it?

The oil is subjected to high levels of stress, due to the high temperatures that are reached inside the engine and the chemical reactions that develop during combustion. For this reason it is important to proceed with a certain regularity to change the car oil , following the instructions in the vehicle maintenance booklet.

When the quantity of oil is insufficient, a special warning light comes on on the control panel. To check if there is a problem and proceed with the do-it-yourself oil change , all you have to do is open the engine compartment and carry out the necessary checks, using the dipstick that indicates the oil level present. We often ask ourselves how often to change the oil : as a general rule, it can be said that in the case of a relatively new petrol engine, the oil must be changed when it reaches 15,000 km .

Diesel engine oil change

Whether it is a diesel engine rather than a petrol one, it is always good to proceed with a certain regularity to change the car oil. The most appropriate interval between one change and another is recommended in the vehicle maintenance booklet , which also indicates the type of oil to be used. In this way there is no risk of making a mistake in choosing the type and cost of motor oil that you are going to buy.

The category and use of the vehicle may determine variations on the period useful for checking and the relative oil change. In general, however, it can be said that in the case of a diesel engine it is advisable to change the diesel oil between 25,000 and 30,000 km. For those who choose the do-it-yourself, the label of the selected bottle represents the useful tool to make the necessary checks and choose the oil with the right performance. On ebay.it you will find an excellent selection of motor oils for diesel and non-diesel vehicles.

Petrol engine oil change

Unlike a car powered by a diesel engine, maintenance for a car equipped with a petrol engine involves some differences, especially as regards the car oil change .

Before proceeding with this operation, it is always preferable to consult the use and maintenance manual and carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer in order to insert the correct quantity of engine oil.

How many km do you change the petrol engine oil? In general, the petrol engine oil change is to be done every 15,000 km, while if the car is more than ten years old it is advisable to change the car oil every 10,000 km.

Oil filter change

Whenever you decide to change the engine oil, it is also advisable to change the filter , which is responsible for collecting the particles originating from the combustion process. The filters, which are formed by a series of membranes able to keep the oil clean, can be of the magnetic, centrifugal, sedimentation and mechanical type. The latter is the type most often found in modern cars. If the vehicle is at least 10 years old, it is recommended to change the oil and filter every 10,000 km.