How often do you really need an oil change?

Why oil changes matter

Engine oil keeps moving parts from touching, carries heat away and holds dirt until the filter catches it. Over time it breaks down and fills with deposits, and worn-out oil protects the engine less. Skipped oil changes are one of the most common reasons engines wear out early, and on many engines they also wear the timing chain.

Normal or severe schedule: which one is yours

• Mostly short trips, especially under about 10 minutes, where the engine never fully warms up.
• Stop-and-go traffic and a lot of idling.
• Taxi, rideshare, delivery or other commercial use.
• Towing, carrying heavy loads, or very hot or very cold weather.

If one or more of these fits how you drive, your manual’s severe service schedule is probably the one to follow. Check it for both a mileage and a time limit: oil ages even if the car sits.

What the oil life monitor does

Many cars estimate oil life from how the engine is actually used, such as engine temperature, trips and idling, and show a percentage or a reminder. It is a useful guide, but it does not measure the oil level. A car can still run low on oil between changes, so check the dipstick too.

How to check your oil

• Park on level ground, turn the engine off and wait a few minutes.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it, push it all the way back in, then pull it again and read the level between the marks.
• If it is low, top up with the grade listed in your manual (for example 0W-20 or 5W-30). Using the recommended grade also helps fuel economy.
• If you keep needing to add oil, or it looks milky or smells of fuel, get it checked.

Use the right oil

Use the viscosity grade and the oil specification your owner’s manual lists. Many newer engines require full synthetic oil or a specific approval from the manufacturer, and using the wrong oil can affect engine wear and, in some cases, the warranty.

How we handle it here

• We change the oil and filter with the grade and specification your manufacturer lists, and reset the oil life monitor.
• We check the belts, hoses and fluid levels while the car is in, and tell you if anything else is due according to your maintenance schedule.
• We give you the price before any work starts, and nothing is done without your approval.
• We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we speak English and Spanish.