Do hybrids need oil changes

Hybrid Car Oil Change (Cost, Change Interval, and Maintenance Tips)

Do hybrid cars require special considerations when it comes to oil changes or should they be treated like a regular car with only an internal combustion engine?

This article covers everything hybrid owners need to know about hybrid oil change cost, optimal change intervals, type of oil to use, and key maintenance tips.

Related: How Do Hybrid Cars Work?

Hybrid Oil Change Cost

Some that are currently looking to purchase a hybrid vehicle or have recently purchased one may be surprised that hybrid engines require many of the same maintenance is normal gasoline powered vehicles. Along with that comes to cost of regular oil and filter changes.

While some shops are not setup to work on all components of a hybrid vehicle, oil changes are pretty straightforward. You can get an oil change done at a local repair shop, quick lube shop (ie: Jiffy Lube or Firestone), dealership, or simply do it yourself.

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

Quick lube places may run you about $40 to $50 for a conventional oil/filter change or $70 to $90 for fully synthetic motor oil (unless you find a coupon online or in your mail). That said, quick lube shops often perform some quick inspections and top of fluids but they are known to upsell you on other more expensive services, some of which may not be needed

Related: 4 Common Oil Change Scams

I personally wouldnt take my vehicle to a quick lube shop because they can be very hit or miss. Id rather pay a bit extra at the dealership or go to an independent mechanic that I trust.

But the best (and cheapest) option for most is a DIY oil change. With a good setup (ramps, socket set, oil drain 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 around $12 to $15 for a 5-quart jug of conventional oil (or $20 to $25 for synthetic) plus another $5 to $10 for an oil filter. Itll only cost you around $20 (conventional) or $30 (synthetic) to change the oil yourself.

Over the life of your vehicle, this amounts to hundreds of dollars in savings and doing it in your driveway actually saves time since you dont have to drive anywhere, wait in line, wait while the service is being performed, and drive back.

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-powered engine, this makes their lubrication needs just as important. However, you may not need to get oil changes as frequently if you mostly drive at low speeds around your town or city.

The reason for this is that hybrid car engines are not put under too much strain when youre driving at lower speeds. The electric motor takes up a lot of the usage. It is only when you drive at higher speeds that more demand gets put on the engine.

That said, the interval for oil changes on a hybrid can be identical to that of a traditional car. To ensure the health of your hybrid cars engine, it is generally recommended that you get an oil change every 5,000 miles.

But if you go with synthetic oil, you may be able to go 7,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes with synthetic. This of course will cost you more money for synthetic oil vs regular oil so you need to factor that in as well. But the extra protection full synthetic oils offer can be a big advantage.

The best hybrid oil change interval is actually what the manufacturer recommends. This info can be found in your owners manual or by contacting your local dealership.

Oil Type

Often, you can use either conventional or synthetic oil in your hybrid vehicle unless the manufacturer specifically states one type is required. For most newer hybrid vehicles, synthetic oil is usually recommended. As noted above, the oil change interval is longer with synthetics.

A lot of hybrid car manufacturers will recommend that you use 0W20 oil instead of 5W20 or 10W30 like in other cars. For instance, Toyota states that for 2010 to 2017 Prius models, 0W20 synthetic engine oil must be used.

Hybrid car engines need lower weight oil to get the proper lubrication. Just be sure to check your owners manual for clarification on the right type of oil to use. If you use the wrong oil, then it could damage the engine permanently.

Hybrid Car Maintenance Tips

Youll find that the basic maintenance needs of a hybrid car are pretty much the same as with a traditional car. But it may be more challenging to find a repair shop that will service a hybrid vehicle for specific tasks (like replacing a hybrid battery) because many of them dont have the knowledge or equipment to service them.

You will sometimes need to go to the dealership to get the maintenance or repair service for them. On the other hand, many maintenance jobs can be performed yourself with a little help from Youtube or car manufacturer specific online forums.

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

See Also: Pros and Cons of Hybrid Vehicles

Do Hybrid Cars Need Oil Changes? Your Questions Answered

Did you knownearly half a millionhybrid vehicles were sold last year? Are you thinking about joining the ranks of drivers who want to keep their gas cost down and help the planet at the same time?

If so, then you might have some questions such as do hybrid cars need oil changes? Well, dont worry because youre in the right place. We answer all your questions plus offer tips to keep your new hybrid running for years to come.

Do Hybrid Cars Need Oil Changes?

A hybrid car runs on both gasoline and electricity. While this is great for saving money on gas, it doesnt completely save you money on oil changes. Your new hybrid does still usea combustible engineand so it does need normal maintenance such as regular oil changes.

The good news is that just as you will have less frequent stops at the pump your oil change will also be less frequent. The typical car manufacturer suggests you get your oil changed every ten thousand miles. If you typically drive short distances around town and use little gas then your oil changes will be few and far between.

Hybrid Oil Change Tips

While your hybrid needs oil changes just like your other vehicles, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are our answers to your top questions and top oil change tips.

How Often Do I Change My Oil?

The adage of changing your oil every 3,000 miles or every three months doesnt apply to most newer model cars. Todays vehicles can go as long as five to seven thousand miles between oil changes. And if you use synthetic oil, and your manufacturers warranty allows, you can go even further.

How Often Do I Change My Oil for a Hybrid?

For your hybrid vehicle, your manufacturer warranty likely recommends you change the oil every ten thousand miles. However, one key to keep in mind is that if you drive short distances and dont put a lot of miles on your car, you should still schedule an oil changeand regular maintenanceonce every 12 months.

Hybrid Oil Change Cost

The cost of your oil change will vary depending on a few factors. Namely, where you go and what type of oil you use. Because a hybrid uses a standard combustible engine just like your other vehicles you can get your oil changes anywhere you would go for another vehicle or do it yourself.

Additionally, if you go to your dealership and choose the synthetic oil youll pay a lot more than you need to. Here at Christians Automotive, we arefully set up to carefor your hybrid without the markups youll see at your dealership.

Keep Your Car Running in Great Condition

Now, you can stop wondering do hybrid cars need oil changes? Now, you know that while you do still need traditional oil changes, you wont need them as frequently as older model cars.

If youre the proud new owner of a hybrid vehicle but havent gotten your oil changed yet, thenbring it on inand well show you what a typical maintenance schedule should look like and our recommendations for care so you can keep your hybrid running down the road in great condition for years to come.

3 Ways Hybrid Cars Are Different in Maintenance

Hybrid cars have been around in the U.S. since the early 2000s and by now theyve earned their place in many peoples garages. Modern-day hybrids are more reliable, longer-lasting and less expensive than the first models of the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight. In fact, due to the recent drop in gas prices and car manufacturers producing gasoline engines with increased fuel efficiency, many dealerships had to drop prices on hybrids, making some hybrid car models cheaper to own than their gas counterparts.

Now might be the best time to buy a hybrid vehicle, and if you are contemplating this decision, you are probably concerned about the cost of maintaining an alternative-fuel car. Our Maryland hybrid car specialists at Hillmuth Certified Automotive have been working on hybrids since they first came out and will be happy to share their experience when it comes to hybrid maintenance. But first lets establish how a hybrid is different from a regular gasoline-powered vehicle.

How a Hybrid Car Works

A hybrid car is called a hybrid because it combines two sources of fuela traditional gas-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor connected to a large-capacity battery. The hybrid system chooses when to engage each of the components to reduce emissions and provide better fuel economy. One great feature about a hybrid is its regenerative braking capability. It means that every time you brake, your car is able to harvest and store this energy, reducing the need for frequent charging. A typical hybrid vehicle is also made of lighter materials and has a smaller engine than a regular car.

Hybrid Car Maintenance

As you can see, a hybrid car has all the components a non-hybrid has, plus the electric system. Therefore, hybrid maintenance is very similar to that of a regular car, with a few exceptions.

Less Frequent Oil Changes

Because the electric motor offers a break to the gasoline engine, it doesnt go through nearly as much wear and tear as the same engine in a non-hybrid car. This means a lower risk of engine failure and longer time between the oil changes. Depending on how much you drive and your driving habits, you might be able to go anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 miles between the oil changes. Besides the savings on the oil and labor, keep in mind the fewer days youll have to take off work or share a car with your spouse.

Longer Life for Brake Pads

Thanks to the regenerative braking feature in hybrid cars, the brake pads experience less heat and friction, which makes them last longer. This makes a big difference if your commute tends to fall in the rush-hour traffic.

Hybrid System Maintenance

In most hybrid vehicles, the hybrid components dont require any special ongoing maintenance. In fact, most hybrids come with warranties on the hybrid system covering anywhere from eight to ten years (100K 150K miles) depending on where you live. This is actually longer than most people hold on to their cars, which was the record-high of six years in 2012. However, at some point the battery will have to be replaced, as it was built for a certain number of complete charge and discharge cycles. This may happen within or outside of your warranty, depending on the specific model of hybrid you own and its battery reliability. A dying battery may manifest itself as a sudden battery failure or a gradually decreasing fuel efficiency.

You Dont Have to Take it to the Dealership

Needless to say, a hybrid vehicle is not for DIY repair or maintenance. Even if you know your way under the hood of your old car, keep in mind that hybrids have many more components you might not be familiar with. Its crucial to know what everything is before touching it, especially considering a large number of high-voltage wiring.

However, taking your car back to the dealership is not your only option. There are many hybrid service centers these days, including Hillmuth Certified Automotive with Maryland locations in Clarksville, Columbia, Gaithersburg and Glenwood. Our techs are certified in hybrid vehicle maintenance and wont void your manufacturers warranty. A dealership may charge you $6000 for a new battery where replacement might not even be necessary. In some cases, battery regeneration can work well and save you thousands of dollars.

Having problems with your hybrid or looking for a trusted specialist to perform maintenance? Schedule an appointment today at Hillmuth Certified Automotive or call us with any questions!