How long can you go without an oil change?

i have a 2005 scion tC and im about 500 miles over my reccomended milage for my next oil change. for the past 3 years ive been very good about oil changes, ive never missed one and have always gotten them right on time.



today my check engine light flashed for a few seconds when i started the car. thats never happend before. it scared me because i have to go until next wendesday without my oil change and i dont know if im over-reacting but im scared!



ive read online that newer cars/oils can go 5-6,000 miles before needing a change so i assumed i was alright...im wondering if the cold start up triggered the light? (it is below freezing here!)



i just need some reassurance or advice on what to do, i dont want my car to blow up! How long can you go without an oil change?The engine light is supposed to come on as soon as you start the car just to test it to see if it's working. As for the changing of the oil, you'll be fine, but get it changed soon.How long can you go without an oil change?You'll be fine with the oil. As for the light, go to autozone and have the code read.How long can you go without an oil change?check your oil if its black on the dipstick then you need to change itHow long can you go without an oil change?Your check engine light has nothing to do with changing the oil. Consumer Reports says you can go over 5000 miles with no ill effects before you have to change the oil. The oil filter picks up little bits of metal or sand from the engine, and the oil wears out after awhile. The check engine light is for other things like the oxygen sensor. I once purchased a car that had over 10,000 miles on it, and the oil had never been changed. It was the best, and most dependable car I ever owned. Don't worry about it, just change it on a regular basis.How long can you go without an oil change?I doubt the oil had anything to do with your light flashing. In fact a flashing light usually means a misfire. You can go 5000 miles on quality oils now but if you are under warranty, I would keep up with the schedule. I go 7000 miles on synthetic oil and have no trouble at all. How long can you go without an oil change?My dear old Grandpa told to change my oil every 3000 miles. How long can you go without an oil change?It depends how much driving you do between then (next wednesday) and now. I would limit your driving if you're over your 500 miles over your recommended. But you should be fine. You should just check your dipstick and wipe it on a white cloth to see how black your oil, if its bad you might want to swap your oil, if not you'll be fine.



For reassurance...



I usually do my own oil changes but last winter it was damn cold around the time my car was due (of course hey?) so I took it to a shop and they did it for me. month and a half later my car seems sluggish so i get underneath my car and sure enough its the same oil filter I put on the last time i did an oil change. So all they did was swap the oil and I drove on a dirty filter for a month and a half past the due date... long story short you should be ok for another week.How long can you go without an oil change? if you go over 3000 miles the oil viscoucity starts to break down ive seen to manny engines blown up because of this and any jerk that tells you it will be alright ask him if hell replace motor for nothing, include paying for itHow long can you go without an oil change?There is no reason to change your oil at 3000 miles any more in fact most manufacturers recommend 5000 and 7500 mile intervals.How long can you go without an oil change?Ok first i would pop the hood grab the dip stick while the car is cold,black don't matter hell you can change oil and filter start the car cut it off and the oil can be dirty you know,um as far as your light the first guy was right take it to auto zone they will read it for free and tell you what it came on for or take it to some shop and pay them 75 bucks to tell you what it came on for that's up to you and you will be ok on your oil change as long as you have oil in the car the right amount of oil don't let it run with no oil in itHow long can you go without an oil change?at 3,000 miles your oil needs to be changed