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The oil change reminder comes on during a cold Denver morning, partway through the same short drive you make most days. You’ve put only a few thousand miles on the car since your last Hyundai oil change, but that was close to a year ago.
Hyundai’s oil change schedule takes all three into account: the miles, the months, and the kind of driving you do. The numbers differ by engine, so the first step is the interval listed for yours.
An oil and filter change is due at the interval in your owner’s manual, in miles and months, whichever comes first. Most Hyundai schedules call for 7,500 to 8,000 miles or 12 months. Models with an oil life alert show a message on the dash when the oil has aged faster than the schedule assumes.
The 12 months applies even if you haven’t driven much, so a car with a few thousand miles on it can still be due. An oil life alert can appear before the scheduled interval, and that’s the signal to have the oil and filter changed.
A shorter schedule applies if you regularly drive in any of these conditions: repeated short trips (under 5 miles, or under 10 in freezing temperatures), extended idling, frequent stop-and-go driving, repeated driving on mountain roads, and towing a trailer or camper. After 10 years or 100,000 miles, the severe schedule applies no matter how you drive.
Two of those can apply to everyday Denver driving. The National Weather Service’s 1991 to 2020 averages put Denver at 156 days a year with a low at or below freezing, and on a morning like that a short trip falls under the freezing-temperature condition. If you also drive mountain roads regularly, such as the climb west on I-70, that puts you on the shorter schedule too.
| What you notice | What it can suggest | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| The mileage is low, but it has been about a year since the last oil change. | The 12-month limit has been reached. | Book the oil change now. The months limit applies no matter how few miles you’ve driven. |
| An oil life alert shows on the dash. | On models with an oil life alert, the oil has aged faster than the normal schedule assumes. | Have the oil and filter changed, then reset the oil life so the indicator stays accurate. |
| You regularly make short trips, drive mountain roads, tow, or idle for long periods. | The severe-driving schedule applies. | Follow the shorter severe interval for your engine. |
| A different oil than the one specified for your engine went into it. | That counts as severe-schedule use. | Follow the severe interval for that oil change and use the specified oil from now on. |
The right oil depends on your engine. Your owner’s manual lists the oil type and grade for yours, and most newer Hyundai models use full synthetic oil.
The Hyundai oil filter is replaced every time the oil is. At Mountain Hyundai Service Center, our Hyundai-certified technicians use factory-recommended oil and filters designed for your Hyundai model.
Some oil consumption between changes is normal, so check the level regularly. Consumption can run higher in a new engine and should settle after 4,000 miles, and driving habits, climate, and traffic also affect it.
On a model with a dipstick:
If the level keeps dropping between changes, mention it when you schedule.
The oil change reminder and the oil pressure warning light are separate signals. The reminder means a service is coming due. The pressure light means the engine’s oil pressure is low right now.
If the pressure light comes on while you’re driving, drive carefully to the nearest safe place and stop, then turn the engine off and check the oil level. If it’s low, add oil. The manual warns that severe engine damage can result if the engine isn’t stopped right after the light comes on, and that continued driving with the light on may cause engine failure. If the light stays on after you add oil, or you don’t have oil with you, don’t drive the car. Call us or roadside assistance for a tow.
Our technicians replace the engine oil per your engine’s specifications and install a new oil filter. The service typically includes a vehicle inspection as well, and our Hyundai-trained technicians let you know if anything needs attention.
If your Hyundai came with Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance, your oil and filter changes may be covered. Eligibility depends on the model year and whether the vehicle was bought or leased new, so check the details on our Complimentary Maintenance page.
