Stretching your oil changes to 10,000 miles sounds great on paper. Fewer shop visits, less money spent, and a little extra time between less-than-exciting errands. But here’s the thing: that extra mileage could cost you big in the long run. For most drivers in 2025, these long oil change intervals are more wishful thinking than sound maintenance.

Many automakers advertise extended oil change intervals, especially for newer models that run on synthetic oil

And yes, synthetic oil holds up longer than conventional blends. But real-world driving conditions rarely match the ideal test environments these intervals are based on. 

Daily driving includes short trips, stop-and-go traffic, idling, and temperature swings. All of those stress your oil faster than you’d think.

Dave Bell, a veteran technician and shop owner in Centerville, Utah, hates seeing engines sludge up with under 100,000 miles on the clock…all because owners pushed their oil changes too far.

@davesautocenter

Duramax engine sludge. Lack of consistent oil changes has ruined it. This engine was abused #duramax #oilchange #autoshop #carrepair

♬ original sound – Dave’s Auto Center

Oil doesn’t just lubricate

It cleans, cools, and protects engine internals. But over time, it breaks down and collects contaminants. When it’s left in too long, it turns into sludge. 

That sludge can clog passages, starve the engine of required lubrication, and wear down components prematurely. It also puts stress on the oil pump and timing components, both of which are expensive to repair.

Manufacturers might say 10,000 miles is fine, but many fine-print owner’s manuals also list a “severe duty” oil change schedule

If you drive in dusty areas, in “extreme” temperatures where the thermometer often reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing, or you regularly sit in traffic, congratulations: you qualify. 

That schedule usually recommends 5,000 to 7,500 miles between changes.

Also, getting a safety and reliability inspection once a year isn’t enough

Drivers who only get an oil change once a year also risk driving on worn and broken components. After all, most maintenance services include a thorough vehicle inspection. 

This is especially true once a car exits its warranty youth. Without regular checks, you might unknowingly operate your car with lower-than-spec brake pads, tie rods with too much play, and loose wheel bearings, for instance.

Modern engines are more precise and complex than ever

They’re also more expensive to replace. Skipping a $100 oil change service now can mean thousands in repairs later. You might even “total” your car if you go too long, with how expensive engine replacement is these days. 

And with the trend toward smaller turbocharged engines, the need for clean, high-quality oil is even more critical. Turbos spin at over 100,000 RPM and depend on fresh oil to stay alive.

So while 10,000 miles between oil changes might be okay on paper, real-world driving tells a different story. If your car takes full synthetic, please stick to 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If it doesn’t, you should be visiting the shop for an oil change every 3,000 miles. Think of it like brushing your teeth: you wouldn’t skip a week because your toothpaste is high-tech. Your engine deserves the same common sense.