How often should you change your oil?
By LSG Auto Nation · · Updated
Short answer
Change your oil when your owner's manual or your car's oil-life reminder says to. Many newer cars using synthetic oil go about 8,000 to 16,000 km between changes, while older cars and regular oil need it sooner. Lots of short trips, towing, dusty roads and very hot or cold weather all mean changing it more often.
The old rule of changing your oil every 5,000 km doesn’t fit most cars any more. Engines and oils last longer now, but the right timing still depends on your car and how you drive it.
What does my owner’s manual say?
Most manuals give two schedules:
- Normal driving: the longer one, for mostly highway driving in mild weather.
- Severe driving: a shorter one for harder use. Don’t let the name fool you. Many everyday drivers fit here.
If your car shows an oil-life reminder on the dashboard, follow it. It works out the timing from how you’ve actually been driving.
What counts as severe driving?
- Lots of short trips, especially in cold weather, when the engine never fully warms up
- Lots of stop-and-go traffic or idling
- Towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads
- Dusty or gravel roads
- Very hot summers and cold winters, like those in the BC Interior
If several of these sound like you, follow the severe schedule.
How do I check my oil level?
- Park on flat ground, and wait a few minutes after turning off the engine.
- Pull out the dipstick (usually a yellow or orange loop), wipe it clean, push it all the way back in and pull it out again.
- The oil should sit between the two marks. If it’s low, top it up with the type listed in your owner’s manual.
- Check it once a month. Some engines use a little oil between changes, which is normal.
Signs you need an oil change now
- The oil-change reminder or the oil warning light is on
- The oil on the dipstick is black, gritty or below the low mark
- The engine sounds louder or ticks more than usual
- You’ve gone past the kilometres or months in your manual