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How long can my car go without an oil change?

I've had my check engine light on for a while now—I’m planning to get it checked soon, but I’m a little worried about how long it has left between now and then. How long could my car go without getting an oil change?

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Carlos Kirby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good on you for getting your engine checked! Cars can generally travel between 5,000 and 7,500 miles between oil changes, or even 10,000 to 15,000 miles if your car uses synthetic oil. However, if your maintenance alerts are going off you should get your oil changed immediately.
If your car is alerting you to oil maintenance, it is advised that you get your oil replaced as soon as possible. Oil lubricates the engine as it runs, and letting your oil run out could put your engine at risk of complete failure. Ultimately, it’s better to be safe than sorry and get your oil changed as soon as possible when you notice this light.
While you’re waiting for your oil to be changed, consider taking a few moments to review your
car insurance
policy, too—it’s always good to make sure all aspects of your car are running smoothly! If you want to quickly make sure that you’re getting the best deal on the coverage you need, check out the
Jerry
. We’ll get you personalized quotes from top-of-the-line providers, so that all you need to do is choose the plan that works best for you. And once you choose one, we’ll even help you switch!
Hopefully the oil change goes smoothly; best of luck!
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