An expert explains: Are LongLife cycles between oil changes recommended or harmful to the engine?

Cars are getting newer and newer, but the question remains relevant – are the LongLife cycles between oil changes recommended, possible or rather harmful for your car?

Total Energies expert Andrzej Husiatyński answers this question and explains how often the oil should be changed to ensure the longest engine service life.

The LongLife oil change interval refers to the longer service intervals recommended by most new car manufacturers based on ecological and economic principles. Good for the planet, as less frequent maintenance means less oil is used, and good for the wallet, as lower annual maintenance costs. However, the life of the engine can suffer by adhering to the LongLife cycle poorly considered and unreasonably. It is important to remember that in newer cars, the oil change interval on the on-board computer will remind you of the necessary change, but in older cars there is no such option, so the driver ‘ monitor the oil change interval after 30,000 km.

When is the LongLife period a good choice?

LongLife maintenance schedule or interval is based on statistics. It is assumed that the driver of the car drives according to the rules, in moderate climatic conditions with a light vehicle load, which means driving on flat suburban roads for more than 20 km , without traffic lights at intersections, with light traffic, at a speed of 80 to 90 km/h. Positions according to the lowest engine load and the lowest fuel consumption. The problem is that very few drivers drive like this, and for this reason the oil change intervals have to be adjusted individually. Of course, they cannot be extended forever, but shortening the interval, despite the recommendations of the manufacturer, will still be a better option than “pulling to the last one” .

In cars equipped with an extensive self-diagnosis system, the on-board computer sometimes displays a message stating that the oil should be changed before the scheduled time. This is usually not true based on detecting the level of oil contamination by measuring electrical resistance. The higher the fuel consumption and the more difficult the driving conditions, the greater the contamination and oxidation of the oil. For cars equipped with a comprehensive self-diagnosis system, it sometimes happens that the on-board computer displays a message that tells you to change the oil before the date. The system takes into account the driving style and operating conditions of the vehicle. If everything is working perfectly – the LongLife period is unlikely to do any harm. If the car is loaded, the time should be shortened.

Factors affecting the frequency of oil changes

City traffic. Short speed, frequent and intense “rushes” and driving with an unwarmed engine – these are the main factors that indicate the need to change the oil more often than usual. Driving late with a cold engine can be compared to driving with a hot engine – just as dangerous and undesirable. In addition, starting the car often and constantly accelerating and braking increases fuel consumption, which means more oil pollution.

Loss of compression and contaminated oil. With time and mileage, the engine slowly loses its performance, which means more frequent oil changes. Worn parts of the supply and fuel system can contaminate the oil with fuel, soot or moisture. Older engines with high mileage often no longer “hold” compression, which complicates the combustion process and may allow more exhaust gases to enter the humpback This greatly shortens the life of the oil. Sometimes an accelerated oil change is necessary, otherwise the engine oil becomes more polluted and can be diluted with fuel if the combustion process is damaged.

Clogged DPF filter (soot). When the DPF filter is heavily covered with ash, its efficiency is greatly reduced. An important factor is the amount of juice it takes to burn the oil. Emergency DPF “renewal” occurs more often, which can increase the amount of fuel in the oil. In critical cases, the oil level can rise above the highest mark on the dipstick. This means that the lubricating properties of the oil will decrease and the oil will have to be changed more often.

Car development, or tuning as it is called, is becoming increasingly popular, especially since cars are already equipped with turbochargers at the factory. Today, you don’t even need to visit a service center – modules that change the engine parameter settings can be easily ordered online, and it is usually very simple to install them in the vehicle’s computer. However, any change in engine parameters, especially power increase, will change the working condition of the vehicle. More power creates a greater thermal load on both the engine and the oil, which accelerates oxidation and consumption. In addition, poor quality upgrades often lead to excess fuel during acceleration, which affects engine performance. Therefore, with such changes, more frequent oil changes are required to ensure the engine’s longevity and safe operation.

How often do you need to change the oil?

If the working conditions are very different from the best, it is recommended to reduce the oil change interval by at least 1/3 of the recommended mileage. In the past, it was assumed that diesel engine oil needs to be changed more often than gasoline engines, but today, due to design features, gasoline engines have become less difficult. An oil change is also required with low annual mileage. Drivers who drive very little every day should also opt for shorter intervals between oil changes. The engine oil system also wears out over time, not just because of mileage. If only 3,000 kilometers are driven per year, the oil should be changed approximately once a year. A delay of a few months between oil changes in this situation will not be dangerous to the engine.