When to change your oil
There is no single number for every car. Your owner’s manual, or the oil-life monitor in many newer cars, sets the schedule.
Last reviewed against 4 official sources.
Who this is for
Any driver who wants to stop guessing, whether a shop changes the oil or you do.
How often should I change my oil?
Your owner’s manual governs. Ford says to follow the Scheduled Maintenance section of the manual and that many newer models have an oil-life monitor that tells you when a change is due. Toyota describes a typical range of every 6 to 12 months, or around 5,000 to 10,000 miles, and says to check the manual for the exact interval.
From: Ford Motor Company; Toyota
What you need
Tools
- Your owner’s manual or the maker’s maintenance schedule website
Supplies
- None, unless you change the oil yourself
Steps
- Look up your scheduleFind the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual. It lists the interval in miles, months or both.
- See whether your car tracks oil lifeMany newer cars work out when the oil needs changing from how you drive and show a message on the dashboard.
- Find your last changeCheck the windshield sticker, a receipt or your records for the date and mileage.
- Set a reminderUse the date from your schedule, and update it whenever you log your mileage.
- Use the right oilAsk for, or buy, the grade your manual lists.
- Reset the oil-life monitorAfter the change, reset it the way your manual describes. Most shops do this for you.
- Recycle used oil and the filterIf you change it yourself, the EPA says to collect the oil in a leak-proof container and take it, with the drained filter, to a collection point such as a local auto shop or waste site.
Safety notes
- Changing oil yourself means hot oil and a raised car. Never get under a car that is held up only by a jack.
- Used oil is a pollutant. The EPA says the oil from one change can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water.
When to call a professional
- You do not have a safe, level place and proper stands to raise the car.
- A warning light stays on after an oil change.
- You see leaks around the drain plug or filter.
Sources
- How often should I change the oil? (opens in a new tab)Ford Motor Company · Manufacturer
- How to Check Oil Level (opens in a new tab)Toyota · Manufacturer
- Managing, Reusing, and Recycling Used Oil (opens in a new tab)U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Government
- Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape (opens in a new tab)fueleconomy.gov (U.S. Department of Energy and EPA) · Government
This guide is general information written in our own words from the sources above. Your owner’s manual and the instructions for your own equipment come first.
Tell it once. It remembers.
A check-in by date. Your owner’s manual or oil-life monitor sets the real interval.