At What Oil Life Percentage Should Oil Be Changed?
Last Updated on February 5, 2026
Your car’s oil life percentage is a maintenance estimate from the vehicle’s computer—not a lab test of the oil. In most vehicles, the “right” time to change oil is when the system tells you it’s due, typically after a “plan ahead” warning and before you hit “past due.”
If you want one simple rule that works for most drivers: schedule service when you see ~15% remaining, then complete the oil change by 0–5% (or whatever your owner’s manual specifies). If you drive in severe conditions (towing, lots of short trips, heavy stop-and-go), plan to change sooner.
- Plan Ahead at 15%: Treat ~15% as your “schedule it now” reminder, not an emergency.
- Don’t Stretch Past Due: Aim to complete the oil change by 0–5% (or your manual’s trigger) to avoid unnecessary engine wear.
- Severe Driving Shrinks Intervals: Short trips, towing, dusty climates, and stop-and-go traffic can justify changing earlier.
- Use Time as a Backup: If you don’t drive much, many automakers still recommend changing oil about once per year.
Quick Answer: Schedule at 15%, Change by 0%–5%
Many vehicles use a two-step approach: a “due soon” reminder first, then a “due now/required” message later. For example, Honda’s Maintenance Minder shows “Maintenance Due Soon” at 15% and “Maintenance Due Now” at 5%, while Ford’s messaging can trigger “Change Engine Oil Soon” at 5% and “Change Engine Oil Now” at 0%. Your exact prompts vary by make and model, so use your owner’s manual as the tie-breaker.
| Oil Life % (Typical) | What It Usually Means | Recommended Move |
|---|---|---|
| 30%–16% | Oil life is trending down, no action yet | Keep driving; check oil level monthly. |
| 15% | “Due soon” / time to plan | Schedule an oil change appointment. |
| 10%–6% | Getting close | If you’ll be busy soon (trip/towing/winter), change now. |
| 5%–1% | “Due now” / change soon | Change oil as soon as practical. |
| 0% (or negative miles) | Overdue / “required” | Change immediately; don’t keep stretching it. |
Quick tip: If your car is under factory warranty, follow the owner’s manual schedule and keep receipts—maintenance documentation matters for warranty claims.
What the Oil Life Percentage Measures
Most modern oil life systems estimate remaining oil life based on how the engine is used, not just miles. Systems commonly factor in things like operating temperatures, idling, towing, and driving patterns. That’s why your percentage can drop faster in stop-and-go traffic than on steady highway drives.
Important: the oil life percentage is an estimate. The safest approach is to treat it as the primary guide and back it up with the basics—use the correct oil spec and change it on time. The American Petroleum Institute (API) also recommends following the vehicle manufacturer’s oil change guidance and using the correct viscosity/performance standard.
When to Change Oil Earlier Than the Meter
Even with a smart oil life monitor, it can be wise to change earlier if you routinely drive in “severe service” conditions. AAA lists common examples like frequent short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty climates, sustained stop-and-go driving, and towing/hauling.
| Driving Situation | Why It’s Harder on Oil | Practical Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Short trips (engine rarely warms fully) | Moisture and fuel dilution burn off less effectively | Don’t wait for the last few percent—plan early. |
| Heavy stop-and-go / lots of idling | More heat cycles and time running per mile | Change on the earlier end of your system’s range. |
| Towing / heavy loads / hills | Higher engine load and heat | Schedule closer to the “due soon” reminder. |
| Dusty or very hot/cold climates | Contamination and extreme operating conditions | Follow the severe schedule in your owner’s manual. |
Mileage and Time Backups If You Don’t Have a Percentage
Not every car displays an oil life percentage. If yours doesn’t, use your owner’s manual or maintenance reminder sticker as the primary guide.
As a broad modern rule of thumb, AAA notes many vehicles now fall around 5,000 to 7,500 miles between oil changes, and some vehicles using full synthetic oil may go much longer (sometimes up to 15,000 miles)—but the correct interval depends on your engine, oil spec, and driving conditions.
Also remember the calendar: if you don’t drive much, many automakers still recommend changing oil about once every 12 months, even if the reminder hasn’t triggered yet. (Honda includes a similar note in its Maintenance Minder guidance.)
Quick tip: After an oil change, make sure the oil life system is reset. If it isn’t reset, the percentage will keep counting down and your reminders won’t be reliable.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore 0%
When your system hits 0% (or shows “past due”), it’s telling you the oil has reached the end of its service interval under your driving conditions. For example, Honda’s system can show “Maintenance Past Due,” and Ford documents a “Change Engine Oil Now” notification at 0% on supported vehicles. Continuing to drive well past that point raises the risk of sludge, accelerated wear, overheating at friction points, and expensive repairs.
Oil Life Isn’t Oil Level
Oil life percentage is about service interval; it does not guarantee your oil level is “full.” AAA recommends checking oil level monthly and topping off if needed—especially because some engines consume oil between changes.
And if you’re wondering about coverage: routine maintenance is usually not something standard auto insurance pays for, even if skipping maintenance can lead to a breakdown. (Here’s a deeper explainer: will auto insurance pay for an oil change?)
Final Word
For most drivers, the best answer is: plan your oil change at about 15% and get it done by 0–5%, unless your owner’s manual says otherwise. If you drive in severe conditions, change earlier. If you barely drive, change at least annually.
