Oil change for passenger cars

Oil change for passenger cars — the most important maintenance

An oil change is the simplest yet perhaps the most important maintenance you do on a passenger car. Engine oil lubricates bearings, camshafts, valves and rod bearings, holds combustion residues in suspension so they don't deposit as sludge, and helps carry heat away from the hottest spots in the engine. After many thousand kilometres and hundreds of hot/cold cycles the oil is depleted of additives, becomes thinner when hot and thicker when cold, and sludge builds up in the sump and oil galleries. An oil change removes the old and gives the engine a "clean" lubricant again.

Service interval — how often?

Most modern passenger cars have a recommended interval of 15,000–25,000 km or once a year — whichever comes first. Older cars, cars driven mostly on short trips (typically a 5–15 km commute) and cars that often run cold without warming up properly should change oil more often — every 10,000–15,000 km. The car's service indicator is only a rough guide — it doesn't count how many short trips you've made or how much fuel dilution there is in the oil. A fixed annual oil change is a good rule regardless of mileage.

Oil quantity and oil type

A passenger car typically uses 3–7 litres of engine oil, depending on engine size. Smaller 1.0–1.4 engines use 3–4 litres, while a V6 or V8 easily needs 6–8 litres. The correct viscosity is in the manual or on the oil filler cap — typical choices are 5W-30, 0W-20 and 5W-40. We use quality oils from Castrol, Mobil and Shell that meet or exceed manufacturer specification. If your car needs an ACEA, API or factory-specific approval (e.g. VW 504 00, MB 229.5, BMW LL-04) we make sure the oil we put in carries the right stamp.

How we perform the oil change

The car is lifted on a ramp, the drain plug opened and warm oil is drained (warm oil carries more sludge and additives out than cold oil). The oil filter is always changed — an old filter retains old sludge and would defeat the purpose of the oil change. The plug seal is replaced when necessary so we avoid leaks afterwards. New oil is filled in the correct quantity, the engine is started, oil pressure checked, and the level is verified on the dipstick after the engine has rested 5 minutes. Finally we reset the service indicator in the car's computer and fill in the service book or digital service history.

Time estimate and price

A standard oil change takes 30–60 minutes — from rolling into the workshop to driving out. Express service is possible if you arrive at the agreed time and the car needs nothing else. Price varies with oil type and quantity but is typically in the 1,200–2,500 NOK range including oil and filter. Fully synthetic oil costs slightly more than semi-synthetic but gives better cold-start protection and longer service intervals. We always provide a fixed quote before starting, and you can choose to have the engine bay washed if you wish — a good chance to check for oil leaks at the same time.

Book an oil change online or call us on 41 17 32 24.