When to Change your Oil Filter

What Type of Driver Are You?

How often you change your oil and oil filter includes many variables associated with the type of driving and vehicle age. All variables must be calculated to protect your vehicle’s engine. So, depending on how many miles you drive, the type of vehicle, and the driving you do, that tells us what your vehicle needs.

May I suggest that you open your manufacturer’s book and flip to the engine section? Inside this wonderful little book is where you’ll find information on all the specifications about your vehicle. The book uses an average and then computes an average of vehicle mileage based on statistical data to suggest when you should have your oil and oil filter changed. It’s a guideline of course, because the book doesn’t know what type of driving you do.

Consistency is usually the best answer. If your type of driving is consistent and you change your oil every 3,000 miles, then your preventative maintenance should be an oil and oil filter change every 3,000 miles. If you’re driving primarily in the city with various starts, stops, braking, acceleration, and deceleration, your oil and filter change may be slightly different.

If you only drive highway miles, consider changing your oil and filter every 6,000 miles. Driving highway-only miles is difficult to gauge because a driver usually drives some side street to get to the highway. Highway driving puts less stress on the engine, and the vehicle’s RPMs are more consistent overall. This means your engine runs more efficiently than the multiple stop-and-go from city driving.

If you drive a newer vehicle, your manufacturer may suggest an oil and oil filter change every 5,000, 6,000, or 7,000 miles.



The key for any driver is to have a vehicle maintenance plan and stick to it. A preventative oil and filter change plan from Spiteri’s Auto Service in Belmont, CA, removes all the guesswork and variables so you can focus on driving. Spiteri’s will examine the oil’s viscosity, inspect the oil filter and notify you of the condition of your oil and filter. They will ask what type of driving you do and how many miles you’re traveling on average. Then, they will make professional recommendations for when to have your oil and filters changed.