Anonymous #1 19h

All hybrids (with the exception of extended range EVs that have the engine function as a generator for the battery) need oil changes just as often as regular ICE cars, manufacturers recommend every 10k but in reality every car with an internal combustion engine should have the oil changed every 6 months or 5k miles. 10k miles is not sustainable for most hybrids because in the majority of setups, the hybrid motor is either solely powering one set of wheels (usually the rear in AWD hybrids)

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Anonymous OP 18h

This is interesting to me because I took a hybrid I had to an oil change at around 6K, and the maintenance staff told me I was being overkill and can wait till 7.5K-10K!

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Anonymous OP 18h

Or is working in tandem with the engine and is hooked up to the transmission and functions as both a starter and low-speed motor that turns off one the vehicle reaches a certain speed. So, to summarize, you are half right, some hybrids (those that ONLY have the electric motors powering the wheels with the gas engine as a generator) don’t need as frequent of oil changes, but the mild-hybrids absolutely should still have the same 6 month/5k mile oil change intervals as full ICE vehicles

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Anonymous #1 18h

What model of car is it?

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Anonymous OP 18h

It's a Honda Accord Hybrid so that could be why, it's a hybrid with the electric motor that operates on its own at low speeds and when applicable

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Anonymous #1 18h

If its a newer accord, it is in fact a full hybrid so it can drive in full electric or gas assisted mode. That being said, you probablyyyyyy can go over 7.5k between oil changes, but they’re an inexpensive way to keep your engine healthy so 5k is still probably a good option. Say you keep the car from when it has 0 miles until it hits 200k. Oil change every 5k = 40 oil changes over 200k miles, and for an estimated (higher) price of say $100 per change you’re looking at $4000

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Anonymous OP 18h

Comparitively, if you were to change it every 10k, you’d be spending half that at 2k, but considering you drive, say, 10k-12k miles a year, you’d need 8-10 years just to put 100k miles on the car, and you’re only spending around $100-200 per year on oil changes anyways. Long story short, your engine will live a lot longer with shorter oil change intervals. Look up “inside of an engine with short oil change intervals vs long oil change intervals” if you want to see the difference in the engine

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Anonymous OP 17h

I appreciate the detailed advice and tips! Thanks so much, I'm gonna look into this more

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Anonymous #1 17h

Anytime, I hope I didn’t come off as condescending at all, just wanted to spread awareness and give advice

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Anonymous OP 17h

You didn't at all, I really appreciate how much detail you gave me. Thank you so much, I definitely wanna learn more as this is my first car

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Anonymous #1 15h

Idk if it was mentioned but oil type is also a big factor, full synthetic lasts about twice as long as conventional does

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