HPEV Oil changes... hmmm....

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19Crib

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Sacramento Area.
My 2020 ICE Sorrento gets ~ 25 MPG, in town/ local on congested freeways.
My 2024 PHEV Sportage is my run around in town car, so it is mainly on electric. I'm still at 3/4 tank of dealer gas in ~ 3 weeks...
The only way I can come up with to compute oil change intervals is by gasoline consumption.
Thus 5000 miles divided by 25MPG (per my ICE Sorrento), equals ~ 200 gallons of gas. So when I burn 200 gallons, it's time for an oil change. At at current usage rate, that may be once a year...
So at least once a year just because it good for the car?
Are there any holes in my theory?

Thanks in advance.
 
The hole is that Kia won't care one iota about your ICE usage, per se. If service work is required on your engine, and you haven't been changing the oil at the recommended times/mileage stated in your manual (8K mi/12 months, OR 5K mi/6 mos under "severe usage" - read this section carefully!) they can try to refuse warranty work. Considering that you live in CA, you can "probably" get by w/the 8K/12 mo recommendation.

From page 8-13 of 2023 Sportage HEV/PHEV Owner's Manual:

Severe driving conditions

A: Repeatedly driving short distance of less than 5 miles (8 km) in normal temperature or less than 10 miles (16 km) in freezing temperature.
B: Extensive engine idling or low speed driving for long distances.
C: Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or saltspread roads.
D: Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in very cold weather
E: Driving in heavy dust condition.
F: Driving in heavy traffic area.
G: Driving on uphill, downhill, or mountain roads repeatedly.
H: Using for towing or camping and driving with loading on the roof
I: Driving for patrol car, taxi, other commercial use of vehicle towing.
J: Frequently driving under high speed or rapid acceleration/decelerationK: Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions.
 
I am old enough to remember when new cars required oil changes, new filter, and lube every 3 months or 3,000 miles. Belts and hoses lasted 2 years if you were lucky. You were doing well to get 20,000 miles out of a set of bias-ply tires.

Minimal service expenses at 8,000 mile/12 month intervals is a luxury. My advice: Don't skimp on maintenance.

Wayne
 
oil change has always been cheap engine longevity insurance? Personally like every 5k,
3 changes & rotation is $65 each in a package from local dealer.
 
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