Hybrid car oil change (cost, change interval and maintenance tips)

Without a doubt, there are more hybrid cars on the roads than ever before. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of hybrid cars sold to consumers in the United States has increased.

In case you didn’t know, hybrid cars are powered by a combination of an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery and a regular internal combustion engine powered by gasoline.

The main point of using a hybrid car is to reduce carbon emissions, since the vehicle uses the electric motor to power some of its components. You’ll also get better fuel economy overall.

Hybrid oil change interval

Hybrid cars still need oil for their engines, just like any other car with an internal combustion engine. Since hybrid cars use a gasoline engine, their lubrication needs are just as great. However, you may not need to change the oil as often if you mainly drive at low speeds around your town or city.

The reason for this is that hybrid car engines are not stressed too much when driving at low speeds. The electric motor has a large part of its use. The engine only becomes more stressed when driving at higher speeds.

That said, the oil change interval in a hybrid may be the same as in a conventional car. To ensure the health of your hybrid car’s engine, it is generally recommended to change the oil every 5,000 miles.

But if you choose synthetic oil, you can go between 7,000 and 10,000 miles between synthetic oil changes. Of course, synthetic oil will cost you more money compared to regular oil, so you need to take that into account as well. However the additional protection that full synthetic oils offer can be a big advantage.

The best hybrid oil change interval is actually what the manufacturer recommends. This information can be found in your owner’s manual or by contacting your local dealer.

type of oil

You can often use regular oil or synthetic oil in your hybrid vehicle unless the manufacturer specifically states that one type is required. For most new hybrid vehicles, synthetic oil is generally recommended. As noted above, the oil change interval is longer with synthetics.

Many hybrid car manufacturers will recommend that you use 0W20 oil instead of 5W20 or 10W30 like other cars. For example, Toyota says 0W20 synthetic motor oil should be used for 2010 to 2017 Prius models.

Hybrid car engines require a lighter weight oil for proper lubrication. Just be sure to consult your owner’s manual for clarification on the correct type of oil to use. Using the wrong oil could cause permanent engine damage.

hybrid oil change cost

People who are currently looking to purchase a hybrid vehicle or who recently purchased one may be surprised that hybrid engines require much of the same maintenance as conventional gasoline vehicles. There’s also the cost of regular oil and filter changes.

Although some shops are not prepared to work on all components of a hybrid vehicle, oil changes are relatively simple. You can get an oil change at a local repair shop, quick lube shop (i.e. Jiffy Lube or Firestone), dealership, or simply do it yourself.

You can expect to pay between $80 and $120 for a synthetic oil change at a dealership. As always, dealership service centers tend to be the most expensive oil change options.

Quick lube points can cost between $40 and $50 for a typical oil/filter change or between $70 and $90 for a full synthetic motor oil (unless you get a coupon online or in the mail). That said, quick lube shops often perform quick and smooth inspections, but keep in mind that they are offering you more expensive services, some of which may not be necessary.

Related: 4 Common Oil Change Scams

Personally, I wouldn’t take my vehicle to a quick lube shop because they can be unpredictable. I’d rather pay a little more at the dealership or go to a trusted independent mechanic.

But the best (and cheapest) option for most is a DIY oil change. With the proper setup (ramps, fixing bushing, oil collection pan, funnel), you can change your own oil in about 15 minutes at your convenience. The only cost will be the oil and oil filter.

For a typical engine requiring 5 quarts of oil, expect to pay about $12-15 for a 5-quart can of conventional oil (or $20-25 for synthetic oil) plus an additional $5-10 per scagola. It will only cost you about $20 (conventional) or $30 (synthetic) to change the oil yourself.

Over the life of the vehicle, that’s a savings of hundreds of dollars, and if you’re in your driveway, it saves time because you don’t have to drive anywhere, stand in line, wait for service, and come back. .

Hybrid Car Maintenance Tips

You will find that the basic maintenance requirements of a hybrid car are almost the same as those of a conventional car. However, finding a repair shop that will fix a hybrid vehicle for specific tasks (such as replacing a hybrid battery) can be more difficult because many don’t have the knowledge or equipment to repair them.

Sometimes you will have to go to the dealership to get maintenance or repair service for these. On the other hand, many maintenance jobs can be done on your own with a little help from YouTube or automaker-specific online forums.

Typical maintenance tasks include checking tire pressure, checking battery power, refilling windshield washer fluid, and washing the vehicle. If you want to do the oil change yourself, you can do that too.

See also: Advantages and disadvantages of hybrid vehicles