16/07/2025
I came across a video that partly addressed a concern most folks have come to me with, and I thought it'll do a lot of people good to elaborate on it.
There's usually the question of at what point does my engine require an oil change? What are the factors that determine this and how can one know?
When you sample opinions on this matter, you hear different things and folks who fall into different categories. I'll explain.
1. There are those who say they change their vehicle oils every 2 to 3 months. This is irrespective of usage or type of oil.
2. There are those who pin their service intervals to mileage. As long as the car is yet to cover, say, 5000 miles from the date of the last service, they have no business draining and changing oils.
3. There are those that are undecided. They just change the oils when they "think" the oil is due.
4. Then there's the category that does not know there is such a thing as oil change until the oil cakes in the engine.
I'll address each group as I try to explain.
For those in group one, I'm forced to conclude that they do not know much about the cars they drive or how the vehicle lubrication business works. Thus, to err on the side of caution, they stick to a routine that does not expose them to what they consider unnecessary risks. Thing is this: there are different oil ratings and viscosity (I'll use this reference in all categories, so maybe get used to it) for different engine types, different mileages. Sticking to a routine like those in this category without paying attention to vehicle usage, oil type (SAE ratings), and vehicle mileage may lead to what I consider wastage, and if care is not taken, engine damage. While it may generally seem fair to the engine that it's constantly being lubricated with new oils, short lubrication intervals, especially in climes where there's a prevalence of fake oils, can lead to more serious problems.
For those who find themselves in the second category without considering other factors, maybe walking a fine line. If I live in a city where I have to use my vehicle for at least 50 kms a day, it will take me 160 days (a little over 5 months) to cover 5000 miles (8,046 kms). This, considering my usage, seems fair. It also means, if I have to use my car for longer distances, I'll cover that distance in less time, therefore shortening my service interval. But there's a catch. If I live in a place like Abuja, where I have to cover that daily distance without unnecessary traffic stops and long jams, it loses no problem. In 5 months, I change my oils and I'm good. But in a place like Lagos, where I'll probably spend 3 hours in an idling car to cover a 50km distance that should normally take me 35 minutes, then I cannot possibly be serious about sticking to that service routine. The reason is this: while the odometer only counts miles when the vehicle is in motion, engine idling time also requires engine function and as long as the vehicle is running, oil degradation is happening. If in a 5-month drive cycle, you spent 4 weeks in traffic, covering only 2,000 miles within the time frame a regular Joe covered 5,000 miles, you cannot possibly wait till you cover the same mileage before going in for a change of oils. Why? Oil degradation. While both cars, under the same circumstances, have seen 5 months, and were used daily for commute and work, yours spent more time idling without covering miles. Yes, oil was burnt in the process.
Same goes for those who park their cars and travel, then return to continue using without carrying out necessary services.
Those in group 3 who go with their feelings are only better than those in group 4 because they even bother to change. Different vehicles have different lubrication requirements, and thus are not to be treated with "feelings" or as the spirit leads.
Those in the final group are the absolute worst and they usually learn this lesson the hard way.
The group I did not mention are the commercial drivers that do not bother with servicing. I mean the local taxis who consider their cars too rickety to take into a workshop for an oil change. They recycle oils from other cars. So if you find your mechanic collecting those used oils to resell, one of their target markets are the old taxi drivers. Always topping off and causing environmental hazards everywhere with the smoke coming out of their tailpipe.
As a closing note, oil acts not just as a lubricant, but also as an engine coolant. The type of oil you use in your engine has to come recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, but also has to be determined by your driving conditions, climate conditions (some oils withstand more heat than others) of where the vehicle is used, engine health, and SAE rating. You can do more research on this, and where in doubt, contact us. We are here for you at Maverick Automobiles
