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At what percentage should you change your oil?

About three months ago I had my oil changed and the mechanic told me to come back once my car hit 50,000 miles. I just checked the odometer and realized I’m at 56,000 miles, but the oil is still at 50%. Do you think I need an oil change?

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Lindsey Hoover · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
In many cases, you should change your oil when your vehicle’s oil life indicator is between 40% to 15%, but your owner’s manual should outline when it’s the right time for you to change the motor oil.
What your oil percentage means: The percentage of your vehicle’s oil life indicator displayed on your dashboard is essentially its way of telling you how much time is left before your vehicle stops performing at peak optimization.
Keep in mind: The oil life percentage that displays on a vehicle dashboard is often based on how many miles you’ve driven. Sometimes it needs to be manually reset after an oil change, and if this step is missed, you might get a reminder for an oil change you don’t actually need yet. 
But in addition to miles, other factors can affect how soon you’ll actually need to change your oil, such as:
  • Driving in dusty environments
  • Weather and climate conditions
  • Driving in taxing conditions, like on steep inclines or towing heavy loads 
General oil change guidelines: Many auto experts suggest changing your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or at least every six months, but your owner’s manual will outline your own vehicle’s specific oil change requirements. 
Here are some additional signs it’s time for an oil change: 
  • The engine oil is black or gritty
  • A rougher-running engine
  • Strange new engine sounds
  • Burning or oil scents coming from your engine
On-time oil changes are crucial for maintaining your engine for the long haul. When in doubt, have your mechanic check your oil out.
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