i have a 2013 outlander sport and i was told to get a oil change every 5,000 miles but i was wondering if that's true or could i go longer?

 

Follow the maintenance schedule and all will be good. Dealers tend to push more frequent changes.

 

Interesting that the maintenance schedule varies between years and models. I have a '16 GT and my schedule says 3750 or 7500 miles depending on the stress to vehicle. I have settled on 5k miles due to the driving habits. I don't think it's quite high stress (offroading, extreme cold, etc.) and not quite low stress (mostly freeway). FWIW, since our car is new, I've done 3 oil changes within the first 5k miles. It always looked black and smelled burnt. It is always a good idea to do it more frequently. I've settled on my schedule based on what I feel comfortable with. I wouldn't push the oil change miles unless you are truly doing low stress driving. My two cents.

 

Mostly I do Alot of highway driving and a little town driving. I guess since it has been really hot out this summer and going 70 80mph all the time would get that oil pretty dirty. But then again I heard highway driving makes it last longer cause your not in stop and go traffic. Plus since I use synthetic oil wouldn't that make it last longer to?

 

I would stick to 5000 miles, but don't rush out to get it changed right away. If you're busy or don't have time, i wouldn't sweat it too much.

 

All vehicles I had owned since my 97 Mitsubishi Galant required regular oil change every 12 months under normal driving condition. I was surprised that my 2016 Outlander (4-cylinder) requires full synthetic oil every 6 months even in normal driving condition.

 

"Requires" is a strong word. There was no game changing technology change in oil from 1997. Just like my engine "requires" 91 octane. Yes, I fill up with 91, but I have filled up with a tank of 87

Engines have become more robust if anything and synthetics oil last longer. The manual may say require, but the same common sense logic applies, more frequent is better, but you can often go longer if you are still under the recommended distance for a change. Stick to the book to be safe, but your car will be ok if you're over a bit. If anything, I think your Galant's schedule was a little out of wack. Normal driving in 12 months equates to 10 or 12k miles! Doing that in a 90's engine is pushing it. It's common to see that big of a schedule these days, but I'd still be more conservative.

Following the book and being able to prove it with receipts is much more important on Porsches and the like. But it's more about new owners getting a comfort level than the book requirement. I don't expect the future buyer of my Outlander to ask for receipts for my oil changes (that I have). Just a different species of car buyers. FWIW, I'm not a mechanic, just an enthusiast.