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How long can I go between oil changes?

I keep reading different things on how long I can go without an oil change. What's the real number? When exactly should I change my oil?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! While the industry standard for oil changes used to be 3,000 miles between changes, the evolution of both cars and oil means that you can now realistically wait between 5,000 and 10,000 miles between oil changes without causing any damage to your car.
Remember—this is the standard for newer cars. If you have an older car, you may need to be more vigilant about changing the oil.
If you fail to change the oil regularly, you can significantly damage vital engine parts that could cause severe engine damage. For about $25, you can lower your chances of having a $5,000 engine replacement or
fire
.
While car insurance policies don’t cover the cost of oil changes, you can put away more money for necessities like these by making sure that you’re getting the best possible deal on the coverage you need. To make this easy, check out the
Jerry
app—we’ll get you personalized quotes from top insurers, so that all you need to do is pick the plan you need at the best price point. And once you’ve chosen one, we’ll even help you switch!
Best of luck, and hope the oil change goes well!
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