How often should you change your car's oil?

Most car manufacturers suggest an oil change between 5,000 and 7,500 miles. The best way to determine how often a car’s engine oil should be changed is to refer to the owner’s manual.

Contrary to popular belief, it is unnecessary to change the car oil after every 3,000 miles. There have been some major advancements in the manufacture of engine oil to make it last longer without degrading or breaking down. Some factors can affect how often the engine oil needs to be changed, including hard driving, towing and driving in extreme conditions. The engine oil often needs to be changed closer to every 5,000 miles in non-ideal driving conditions.