When a car is rarely used and sits idle for a long time, the question arises about the frequency of engine oil changes. Modern motor oils have a long shelf life, which can reach five years, regardless of whether the oil is in cans or barrels.

However, why is it recommended to change the oil in a car engine at least once a year, even if the car travels short distances? njcar portal. ru explains in detail why changing engine oil is necessary at least once a year.

Engine oil change intervals are set by vehicle manufacturers and can vary significantly. For most brands, this interval ranges from 7,500 to 30,000 kilometers. For example, Peugeot and Citroen owners in Europe are recommended to change their oil every 30,000 kilometers, while for Ford cars this interval is 20,000 km. It is important to note that regardless of the distance traveled, the recommended period between oil changes always remains constant – 12 months.

This is explained simply: the oil in the engine constantly interacts with exhaust gases, carbon deposits, oxides and moisture. Even with minimal vehicle use, the oil undergoes an aging process simply by being in the engine. Thus, the need to replace it arises not only depending on the distance traveled, but also on time.