Why You Should Have Your Oil Changed Regularly at Capitol Toyota

August 15th, 2025

If you don't take care of your body or you ignore symptoms of something going wrong, you're likely to regret it later. The same is true for the vehicle you drive. You don't need to convince your car to eat more vegetables or get out of the garage more often, but you definitely need to have its regular maintenance tasks performed at Capitol Toyota in Salem, Oregon. Certain parts and fluids will need to be replaced from time to time, simply because any running machine experiences wear and tear. One of the most important fluids to check and replace is your engine's oil. When you think about the fact that every piston in your Toyota's engine fits tightly in its cylinder and moves up and down at speeds of 8 to 100 times every second, it's actually quite impressive that you don't need to change the oil until at least 5,000 miles have gone by, and often more miles than that. That's just one small testament to the impressive engineering and manufacturing of Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs.

How to Know When Your Oil Needs Changing

The most common way is to write down the mileage on your Toyota's odometer when you have your oil changed, and then have it changed again after the recommended mileage. You'll find that information in your vehicle owner's manual. If, for any reason, you don't have the owner's manual for the model and year of your Toyota, Capitol Toyota can replace the manual for you.

But if something goes wrong, such as objects from the road damaging your engine, your oil might need to be changed sooner than expected. Come to Capitol Toyota right away if:

• The oil light or the Check Engine light on your dashboard has come on.
• Your engine is making unusual noises, especially knocking or ticking.
• Your engine is running sluggishly, or is idling roughly.
• There is more smoke coming from your exhaust pipe than normal, especially if it's bluish or dark.
• There is a smell of burning oil.
• There is a spot of fresh oil on the ground underneath your engine.

Whether you notice things going wrong or not, the most reliable way to know the status of the motor oil in your Toyota is to have it checked at Capitol Toyota in Salem, Oregon. Our Service Center is staffed with factory-certified technicians who can check the level and chemical content of your oil, so there won't be any guesswork or estimation at all. And if it turns out that you do need your oil changed, you'll already be where the most qualified Toyota mechanics are.

Receive Service Your Way, Everyday on the Parkway

We love our customers, and we make sure it shows. Amenities like our comfortable lounge, 1-mile walking trail, Outback Pet Park, Happy Paws pet accessory store, and floating golf green are just the beginning. Right from the moment you walk in, our goal is to learn what you need and what your concerns might be. Then we set to work not only providing top-notch service, but making sure you're comfortable with the way we're handling your entire experience at our dealership. So if you'd like to find out how pleasant an automotive servicing or a Toyota buying experience can be, come to Capitol Toyota in Salem. You can drive right in, or make an appointment online or by phone. We're looking forward to impressing you.