Longlife oil: what does it mean for the interval?

Flexible interval

With a flexible (longlife) interval the car itself calculates when the oil needs changing, based on things like cold starts, engine temperature, revs and fuel use. With calm, long-distance driving that can run to 30,000 km or two years. With heavy use the car asks sooner.

It requires oil with a longlife approval, for example VW 504 00/507 00 or BMW Longlife-04. Other oil in a car with a flexible interval means the calculation no longer holds.

Fixed interval

With a fixed interval the oil is changed after a set distance or time, often 15,000 km or one year. On many cars the garage can switch the service setting from flexible to fixed. That is sensible if you mostly drive short trips or want to keep the car for a long time.

What we advise

• Lots of motorway, few cold starts: the flexible interval is fine.
• Mostly short trips, town or traffic: choose a fixed one-year interval.
• A turbo or particulate-filter car you want to keep for years: better a bit more often than less.

Longlife oil in a car with a fixed interval does no harm, as long as it carries the manufacturer's approval.

Frequently asked questions

Is longlife oil better than regular oil?

It is made to stay stable longer, but only the right approval counts. In a car that needs a different approval it is not automatically better.

My car says the next service is more than a year away. Should I wait?

If you mostly drive short distances, have the oil changed after a year anyway. The calculation can underestimate the effect of short trips.

Can the garage change the interval?

On many cars, yes, with diagnostic equipment. We'll explain what it means for your car.

See which longlife approval your car needs in the service calculator or read more about the oil change in Tilburg.