When Does Your GMC Actually Need an Oil Change in Murfreesboro, TN?

Golden engine oil pouring from a bottle into an engine during a GMC oil change

You start your GMC and the dash says Change Engine Oil Soon. It isn't obvious whether "soon" means this week or this month.

Or the message hasn't appeared at all, and you're wondering how long you can wait before your next GMC oil change.

How Often Should I Get a GMC Oil Change?

An oil and filter change is recommended every 7,500 miles, and most GMC vehicles have an oil life system that estimates remaining oil life from how you drive. When the Change Engine Oil Soon message appears, schedule the change within the next 600 miles. Whatever the system shows, the oil and filter must be changed at least once a year.

The system tracks things like your speed and engine temperature, so the miles between changes differ from one driver to the next. If you drive to Smyrna and back every workday, you can cover 600 miles in a few weeks, so book soon after the message appears.

What Should I Do for Each GMC Oil Change Message or Situation?

The Change Engine Oil Soon message is the main signal, and several other messages and situations call for action too.

Messages and displays vary by model and engine. Use this table as a starting point, and check your owner's manual for what your GMC shows.

What you notice	What it can suggest	Best next step
The Change Engine Oil Soon message appears	The oil life system estimates that your oil is due for a change.	Schedule an oil and filter change as soon as possible, within the next 600 miles.
Your last oil change was about a year ago and no message has appeared, which can happen if you drive few miles, such as short trips around the Middle Tennessee State University campus	The one-year limit applies even when mileage hasn't triggered the message.	Change the oil and filter, and have the oil life system reset.
Your GMC doesn't have an oil life system	Your owner's manual sets the interval, and oil also breaks down with time.	Follow the owner's manual interval, and change the oil about once a year even if you haven't reached that mileage.
Oil spots or drips where you park	An oil leak, which can lower the oil level in the engine.	Schedule service soon so the source can be found.
An ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message	The oil level is low, and the engine shouldn't be operated with this message displayed.	Check the level and add oil before you drive any farther.
The Oil Pressure Low/Stop Engine message	Low oil pressure, which can damage the engine.	Safely bring the vehicle to a stop, don't restart the engine, check the oil level, and contact us.

Can I Keep Driving With the GMC Oil Pressure Warning On?

No. If the Oil Pressure Low/Stop Engine message appears, safely bring your vehicle to a stop and don't restart the engine. Running the vehicle with low oil pressure can damage the engine.

Check the oil level, and contact us for service. Keep the engine off until the cause of the pressure drop has been found and corrected.

Schedule Your GMC Oil Change at Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro

Change Engine Oil Soon on your dash? We'll replace the oil and filter and check your fluid levels and key components.

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How Do I Check My GMC's Oil Level Between Oil Changes?

On a GMC with a dipstick, check the level with the engine off and the vehicle on level ground. A cold engine that has been off for about two hours gives a more accurate reading. Some newer GMC trucks have no dipstick and show the oil level on a screen instead, so check your owner's manual for how to read it.

If an ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message appears, the oil level is low. Check the level and add oil before you drive any farther, because the engine shouldn't be operated with that message displayed.

What Happens During a GMC Oil Change at Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro?

Our oil change at Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro includes oil replacement, oil filter replacement, and a basic inspection of fluid levels and key components. Our technicians also check the oil's condition, the oil filter, and the oil level at every visit.

We use the oil your GMC's engine is specified for.

GMC Oil Change Questions From Murfreesboro Drivers

Do I still need an oil change every 3,000 miles?

Not necessarily. Depending on your vehicle's age, how you drive, and road conditions, today's engines and oils may be able to go longer than 3,000 miles between changes. If your GMC has an oil life system, its message shows when yours is due.

Does the oil life system measure my oil level?

No. The oil life system estimates how long your oil will last. It doesn't report how much oil is in the engine, so the level needs its own check, on the dipstick or on the screen if your GMC has one.

Does the oil life system need to be reset after an oil change?

Yes. The oil life system has to be reset after every oil change, and our technicians do that for you. If you change your own oil, your owner's manual has the reset steps.

Is the first oil change on a new GMC covered?

When you buy or lease a new GMC, your first service visit is covered at a participating dealer. It includes an oil change, a four-tire rotation, and a multi-point vehicle inspection, and it has to happen within the first year of delivery. Air filters aren't included and other restrictions apply, so schedule your first visit with us and we'll confirm what applies to your vehicle.

Can you change my oil at my home or office?

In many cases, yes. Oil change and oil filter replacement are among the routine services a technician can do at your home or workplace. When mobile service isn't possible at your location, we offer pickup and delivery, and a loaner may be provided. Availability depends on your location and vehicle, so our Mobile Service + page is the place to start.

What happens if I put off an oil change?

Driving around with dirty oil, or without enough oil, can damage the engine and shorten its life. If the message has already appeared, schedule the change now.

Get Your GMC's Oil Changed at Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro

Pick a time online, and we'll take care of the oil, the filter, and the oil life system.