It can be difficult for drivers to figure out how often to have their motor oil changed. This is because an ideal interval varies from driver to driver, depending on driving habits and conditions. Let’s take a look at the various factors to consider. And if you’re still in doubt, you can always ask for advice at your local Kia dealership.
How Often Should Your Kia Get an Oil Change?
Every 5,000 to 7,500 Miles as a Rule of Thumb
The average driver is recommended to have their motor oil refreshed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This usually means about twice a year. And this recommended interval assumes that your vehicle uses modern synthetic motor oil.
Consider Your Driving Habits and Conditions
Driving habits and conditions make a significant difference to how rapidly motor oil wears down and needs to be replaced. If you spend an hour or two each day driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic, then your engine and oil are under more pressure, especially if you also live in a particularly hot environment.
Multiple short trips of under five miles also cause motor oil to degrade faster. This is because short trips don’t give the oil sufficient time to warm up properly to an optimal lubricating temperature. Other severe driving conditions include towing heavy trailers, driving at low speeds for extended periods of time, prolonged idling, and using particularly dusty, salty, sandy, or muddy roads.
Simply Adhere to Your Warranty
If your car’s still quite new and has a valid powertrain warranty, then it makes sense to adhere to the recommended schedule in your warranty for refreshing motor oil. This is likely to be included in your scheduled maintenance and servicing visits at your local dealership. However, the recommended schedule in your owner’s manual should still be adapted, taking into account your personal driving habits and conditions.
Pay Attention to Your Oil Life Monitor
Your car may have an automatic oil life monitor which will observe various driving factors and help you determine how often to change your oil. Built-in oil-life monitors measure external and internal vehicle temperatures, time spent idling, engine revving, cold starts, and more to make it easier to know whether your usual driving conditions are ordinary or severe.
Ask at Your Local Kia Dealership
One of the best ways to figure out how often to have your oil refreshed is by talking it through with an experienced technician. With the knowledge gained from a few servicing visits, the technicians at your local dealership will have an accurate understanding of your driving habits and work out the best schedule for changing your oil. As fellow locals in your area, they’ll also be aware of the typical climate there and take seasonal temperatures into account.
Have your oil refreshed today at University Kia. We’re a one-stop shop for the purchasing, financing, and servicing needs of all local Kia drivers.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.