These days, modern synthetic oil has a very long lifespan and provides other important benefits over the old types of oil that had to be changed every 3,000 miles. For the most part, you will need a Kia oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but the ideal interval is going to depend on precisely which vehicle you have and some other factors.
Your owner’s manual is your first stop in understanding exactly how often you will need to change the oil in your car. Each model has a unique interval based on what’s best for that engine, and this may also vary by year. Mentioned above, you will generally need to change the oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, and if you’re not sure what’s best, come talk to us at your Kia dealership for specific pointers based on our knowledge of your vehicle.
In general, the following are the things that can affect your intervals:
Excess Mileage
All the recommendations in your owner’s manual are based on averages. If you drive a lot more than the average person, it’s very possible you will need to have your oil changed on the lower end of the interval or even at a shorter interval.
Your Typical Driving Conditions
If you are constantly driving in dusty, sandy, or salty conditions, then you’re likely contaminating the oil more quickly than average and may need an oil change sooner rather than later. Also, driving on the interstate is a lot easier on your engine than those short drives of less than 5 miles. On short drives, the oil really doesn’t have enough time to warm up and lubricate the way it should, so if most of your mileage is short trips to the grocery store, you might need to change the oil more often. Finally, if you like to tow, the extra effort of towing and the higher temps this may cause your engine to run at could mean you’ll need to get the oil changed more frequently.
How to Tell It’s Time
If you can’t remember when you last had it changed, you can always call us. If you want to look for yourself, take a look at the dipstick. If the oil looks sludgy and dark, it’s probably time. You should also get it changed if the oil volume is low or if you’re starting to notice that your engine is running too hot. Finally, if you’ve got an oil leak, you’ll likely see (and smell) this as it either burns away in your engine heat or puddles in your driveway. Don’t delay getting that taken care of.
Come see us at Bill Dodge Kia of Saco, ME for all your Kia needs!
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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.