How Often Should You Change Your Oil?

Regular oil changes will help keep your vehicle on the roads of Topeka and Kansas City for a long time. That said, how often should you change your oil? Some drivers prefer to change their oil every 5,000 miles, and that might be prudent if you put a significant amount of miles on your car every year. However, the most recent oil change frequency standards suggest changing your car’s oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. This is great news for those who struggle to fit service visits into their packed schedules! Have more questions about oil changes? We offer more helpful service tips, below.

Determining Your Oil Change Frequency 

Most modern vehicles only need their oil changed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, so if you’re an average driver who clocks around 12,000 miles per year, you’re likely safe to follow that oil change frequency. If you drive significantly more than 12,000 miles per year or you use your vehicle for engine-straining activities, it’s smart to change your oil more often. Here are some activities that may require more frequent oil changes:

• Off-roading
• Commercial use
• Racing
• Heavy towing

When in doubt, you can always speak with our service advisors to create a personalized oil change schedule! Give us a call at 785-428-0262 or stop by our service center in Topeka to start a conversation.

Additional Oil Service Tips

Here are a few more oil change tips to keep in mind so your vehicle is always ready to perform:

• Read your owner’s manual to learn whether you should use synthetic or conventional oil in your car. 
• If you don’t drive very often, you should still get an oil change once per year because it will help keep your engine healthy in the long term.
• Every time your oil is changed, confirm that your service tech has also replaced the oil filter. If you’re changing your oil at home in Manhattan, you can get an OEM Volkswagen oil filter at our parts center!

When to Check Your Oil Level 

In between oil changes, it’s a good idea to check your oil level once per month. As your vehicle ages, this will help you keep track of any issues like oil leaks or dirty oil. If the oil level is unreasonably low after changing it recently, or the oil looks off in color and texture, you should schedule service for an inspection.

Get the Service Help You Need at Volkswagen of Topeka! 

We’re proud to help Topeka drivers keep their vehicles in great shape at Volkswagen of Topeka. If you need an oil change or other services like a VW key fob replacement, you can always count on us!