An oil change often becomes one of those chores many drivers do without totally understanding why. We know it's important, but what's the reason for it?
Cars need to have their oil changed regularly because the engine's operation causes tiny pieces of dirt, metal, and other debris to flake off. If they're not safely dealt with, these bits could cause damage.
Oil is the medium that ensures this doesn't happen, but it can only accommodate a certain amount of debris before it's spent. That's why it ends up looking black and muddy when you have it changed.
Traditional oils required replacement at around every 3,000 miles of driving, but modern-day synthetics are safe to use for up to 5,000 to 10,000 miles (depending on the brand). When this happens, it's best to swap out the filter at that point, too.