How Often Should You Get a Hyundai Oil Change?

When you first drive your new Hyundai off the lot, you probably aren’t thinking about when you should get your car serviced. However, keeping your car properly maintained is a critical aspect of responsible car ownership, so you need to know how often you should get a Hyundai oil change.

How Often Should You Get a Hyundai Oil Change?

Manufacturer Recommendation

Hyundai recommends that new vehicles get their oil changed every 6,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. Of course, this suggestion is based on ideal driving conditions, which are very rare.

Additionally, if you have an older Hyundai (pre-2012), you’ll want to check your user manual to determine how often you should get your oil change because specifications have changed along with advancing technology and engineering. Most older cars should get their oil changed about every 3,000 miles.

Practical Recommendation

As mentioned above, the manufacturer’s recommendation for how often to have your Hyundai’s oil changed has been established based on perfect driving conditions and habits. If any of the following are true of you, you’ll want to have your oil changed more often:

• You take frequent short trips, such as to the grocery store or school
• You frequently drive in dusty conditions (on dirt roads)
• You frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic (rush hour)
• You frequently drive on rough roads
• You frequently drive in the mountains
• You drive in areas that use salt or sand on the roads
• You spend a lot of time idling or in low gear
• You drive a lot in extremely humid conditions
• You drive a lot in extremely cold conditions
• You drive more than half your time in temperatures above 90 degrees

These conditions cause your oil to break down more quickly than if you’re driving under ideal circumstances. Check with your factory-trained service technician to assess your personal driving habits and determine if you need to have your oil changed more frequently than what the manufacturer recommends.

How to Tell If Your Car Needs an Oil Change

Poor Gas Mileage

When your oil begins to break down, your engine has to work harder than it should to operate at peak performance. This results in your vehicle using more fuel than usual, which means you’ll have to fill up more often than when your oil is new. If you notice your fuel is not lasting as long, consider getting an oil change.

Ticking Sound

If you hear a ticking sound coming from your engine, this is a sign that you need to have your oil changed because it’s either broken down too much to be effective at lubricating the parts or the level is too low to circulate properly. Get your car in for an oil change right away.

Dark Oil Color

When oil is good, it is a translucent amber in color, but as it breaks down and becomes contaminated with dirt and grime, it will turn an opaque brown. This is one of the best indications that you need an oil change, so check your oil’s color frequently (at least whenever you fuel up).

Getting your Hyundai’s oil changed on a regular schedule will help keep your vehicle running like new. Contact Crain Hyundai of Fayetteville to book your oil change appointment today.

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