Distance vs Time: When Should Car Engine Oil Be Changed?

Many car owners remain confused about the optimal time to change engine oil. Some base it on mileage, others on time elapsed.

It is well known that engine oil has a limited lifespan. Regular replacement is fundamental and a mandatory maintenance practice to preserve engine performance and longevity.

Neglecting oil changes can significantly impact engine health and internal components.

Technical Specialist at Pertamina Lubricants, Brahma Putra Mahayan, previously explained in detail when to change engine oil.

‘Following Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations typically involves considering both mileage and time. Whichever threshold is reached first should prompt a change,’ Brahma told Kompas.com.

This means that even if the 10,000-kilometre mileage recommendation hasn’t been met, a six-month time frame requires an oil change.

For rarely used vehicles, although the engine runs infrequently, factors like oxidation degrade oil quality.

Auto2000 also noted that city-driven or infrequently used cars often struggle to reach 10,000km within six months. However, urban driving conditions with frequent stop-start traffic place additional strain on the engine, causing oil to degrade faster.