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[](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/) - [About Us](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/about/) - [Services](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/services/) - [FAQ](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/faq/) - [Articles](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/articles/) - [R1234YF Refrigerant (“Freon”) Available in New Orleans](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/articles/r1234yf-freon-refrigerant-available-in-new-orleans/) - [100 Car Care Tips](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/articles/100-car-care-tips/) - [What preventative maintenance should I do?](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/articles/what-kind-of-preventative-maintenance-should-i-do/) - [Need A Mechanic? Use Your Senses](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/articles/need-a-mechanic-use-your-senses/) - [How often should you change your engine oil](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/articles/how-often-should-you-change-your-engine-oil/) - [Contact Us](https://crescentcityautomotive.com/contact/) **HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU **CHANGE YOUR ENGINE OIL?**** **Every automobile engine needs oil, but not just any oil will do. Modern engines are designed and built to exacting standards and require oils that meet very specific industry and automaker specifications to ensure a long service life. Failure to use the right type oil, and document its use, could void your new-car warranty. Most late-model cars require synthetic-blend or full-synthetic, low-viscosity, multi-grade, resource-conserving oils that minimize friction and maximize fuel economy. However, choosing the right oil is not always easy. The proper oil for your make and model of vehicle must have the correct SAE viscosity grade, meet performance standards set by the API, ILSAC and/or ACEA, and comply with any unique specifications established by the automaker or engine manufacturer. These requirements are detailed in your vehicle owner’s manual, and your auto repair shop can provide information on your vehicle’s recommended oil specifications as well. Depending on vehicle age, type of oil and driving conditions, oil change intervals will vary. It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! You cannot judge engine oil condition by color, so follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes. Oil Change Intervals – Older Cars Older cars typically have oil change intervals based on mileage, and have two maintenance schedules, one for cars driven in “normal” operation and another for those used in “severe service.” The latter category involves operating your car under one or more of the following conditions: Primarily short trips (5 miles or less) Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates Sustained stop-and-go driving Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer If your vehicle use falls under the severe service definition in your owner’s manual, maintain your car using the more rigorous schedule. However, if you drive your car under normal conditions, be wary of spending hard-earned money on oil change services and other maintenance work your car may not need or benefit from. Oil Change Intervals – Newer Cars Most newer cars are equipped with oil-life monitoring systems that automatically determine when an oil change is needed and notify you with an alert on the instrument panel. Early simple systems are time and mileage based, but current advanced designs analyze actual vehicle operating conditions to identify when the oil will begin to degrade. In fact, the owner’s and maintenance manuals for many newer cars eliminate “severe service” recommendations altogether because the oil-life monitoring system automatically shortens the oil change interval when it detects heavy-duty operation. Whenever you have your car’s oil changed, the service technician should reset the oil-life monitoring system. If you change your own oil, you can reset the system by following the instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual. Less frequent oil changes on newer engines make it essential that you check the oil level monthly and top it up as needed. While many engines will use less than a quart of oil between changes, others can consume as much as a quart every 600 to 700 miles. Maintaining proper oil levels can help you avoid costly car repairs; engine wear or damage resulting from low oil levels will not be covered by your new-car warranty. Note that if you do not put many miles on your car, most automakers recommend an oil change every 12 months, even if the maintenance reminder has not come on. Courtesy AAA Automotive** ** Hours Mon – Fri: 7am – 5pm Sat & Sun: Closed  Call or Email Us [(504) 899-3800](tel:+15048993800) [crescentcityauto@gmail.com](<mailto:crescentcityauto@gmail.com?subject=Website Inquiry>)  Visit Us [4619 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA 70115](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Crescent+City+Automotive+Inc/@29.920748,-90.1065636,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8620a4519770bcd5:0xadc87b78a03f3022!8m2!3d29.920748!4d-90.1043749) Serving All of New Orleans (including Uptown, Carrollton, Broadmoor, Freret, Garden District, Irish Channel, Mid-city, French Quarter, Bywater, Marigny, Lakeview, Bayou St. John), Metairie, Kenner, Jefferson Parish, and the Westbank (Westwego, Harahan, Gretna, Algiers Point) © 2026 Crescent City Automotive • Site by: [Genin Media](https://geninmedia.com/)**

**Every automobile engine needs oil, but not just any oil will do. Modern engines are designed and built to exacting standards and require oils that meet very specific industry and automaker specifications to ensure a long service life. Failure to use the right type oil, and document its use, could void your new-car warranty. Most late-model cars require synthetic-blend or full-synthetic, low-viscosity, multi-grade, resource-conserving oils that minimize friction and maximize fuel economy. However, choosing the right oil is not always easy. The proper oil for your make and model of vehicle must have the correct SAE viscosity grade, meet performance standards set by the API, ILSAC and/or ACEA, and comply with any unique specifications established by the automaker or engine manufacturer. These requirements are detailed in your vehicle owner’s manual, and your auto repair shop can provide information on your vehicle’s recommended oil specifications as well. Depending on vehicle age, type of oil and driving conditions, oil change intervals will vary. It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! You cannot judge engine oil condition by color, so follow the factory maintenance schedule for oil changes. Oil Change Intervals – Older Cars Older cars typically have oil change intervals based on mileage, and have two maintenance schedules, one for cars driven in “normal” operation and another for those used in “severe service.” The latter category involves operating your car under one or more of the following conditions: Primarily short trips (5 miles or less) Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates Sustained stop-and-go driving Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer If your vehicle use falls under the severe service definition in your owner’s manual, maintain your car using the more rigorous schedule. However, if you drive your car under normal conditions, be wary of spending hard-earned money on oil change services and other maintenance work your car may not need or benefit from. Oil Change Intervals – Newer Cars Most newer cars are equipped with oil-life monitoring systems that automatically determine when an oil change is needed and notify you with an alert on the instrument panel. Early simple systems are time and mileage based, but current advanced designs analyze actual vehicle operating conditions to identify when the oil will begin to degrade. In fact, the owner’s and maintenance manuals for many newer cars eliminate “severe service” recommendations altogether because the oil-life monitoring system automatically shortens the oil change interval when it detects heavy-duty operation. Whenever you have your car’s oil changed, the service technician should reset the oil-life monitoring system. If you change your own oil, you can reset the system by following the instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual. Less frequent oil changes on newer engines make it essential that you check the oil level monthly and top it up as needed. While many engines will use less than a quart of oil between changes, others can consume as much as a quart every 600 to 700 miles. Maintaining proper oil levels can help you avoid costly car repairs; engine wear or damage resulting from low oil levels will not be covered by your new-car warranty. Note that if you do not put many miles on your car, most automakers recommend an oil change every 12 months, even if the maintenance reminder has not come on. Courtesy AAA Automotive**