Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site.

Aussie Oil Check & Oil Change Statistics 2024

Want to know where you rank amongst Aussies when it comes to checking your engine oil?

We’re a country of extremes and opposites. Ford v Holden. AFL v NRL. Parmi v Parma.

And now we have a new divide, checking v not checking your engine oil.

Supercheap Auto conducted research to see how often Aussies check and change their engine oil, how proficient they are, and if one state or generation reigns supreme when lifting the hood.

And the findings?

1.7 million Australians have never checked their vehicle engine oil. On the other hand, 1.1 million Australians check at least once a week.

So, which side are you on? Are you a beginner, an expert, or somewhere in the middle?

We’ve compiled the key takeouts of the research so you can see how you stack up against the rest of the country when it comes to fuelling your car with Supercheap Auto’s Best Performing Oils, and we’ll share our best advice so you can level up and save yourself some money along the way.

Beginner – You (Kind of) Know How to Check

If you’ve never checked your engine oil, or you’ve only done it a handful of times, this might be the category for you. But don’t worry, we all start in this category, and we are here to help.

What did the research uncover?

One in eight (13%, or approximately 1.7 million) Australian non-EV vehicle owners admit they have never checked their vehicle engine oil, while 7% check their vehicle engine oil less than once every year.

47% of Gen Z check their engine oil at least once a month, compared to 29% of Millennials and 33% of Gen X.

Those with a household income below $100k are more likely than those with a higher household income to have checked their engine oil at least once a month (42% compared to 27%).

Looking around the country, WA residents are the best at checking at least once a year (85%), followed by TAS, NT, ACT, and NSW (81%), SA (80%), QLD (78%), and bringing in the tail is VIC with 77%.

For our city vs country fans, 77% of people who live in a capital city check once a year, compared to 84% of people living in the country.

Where to next?

First things first, if you’re one of the 1.7million Aussies who have never checked their engine oil, it’s time to pull on some gloves and have a look. If you've noticed any of these 8 signs to check your engine oil, it might be a good idea to take care of it this weekend.

For the first timers, we’ve created a super simple step by step guide on how to check and top up your engine oil.

Engine oils play a crucial part in your engine’s functionality. Without the oil, your engine can become damaged fairly quickly so it’s in your best interest to make sure that the engine oil is up to par.

As the cost of living continues to climb, the last thing we want is a huge repair bill on your car because you didn’t check and top up your engine oil.

Once you’ve checked, you’re probably ready to change your oil for the first time. And with that simple step, you’re on your way to the intermediate category.

Intermediate – You Know How to Top Up Your Engine Oil

35% of Australian vehicle owners check their engine oil at least once a month, if that’s you, you’re in the right place.

Better still, 42% of the country are topping up their engine oil every 6-12 months. Super!

The main reason we have engine oil is to lubricate the different parts of the engine, control the heat of the engine, and prevent components from wearing away. This may result in damage to some of your engine’s components, a decrease in engine performance, and at worse engine parts may need to be replaced.

In some of the worst cases of heat damage, the engine’s pistons may end up welded to the wall of the cylinder and the engine will seize up. This is an incredibly expensive thing to have fixed.

All in all, nothing good can come from not topping up your engine oil!

What did the research uncover?

Over six in ten (62%) Australian non-EV vehicle owners say they are moderately proficient (16%) or very proficient (46%) at checking engine oil.

Gen Z are the most likely generation to say they top up their vehicle engine oil at least once a year (83%).

31% of Gen Z change the engine oil in their main vehicle themselves, compared to 18% of Gen X and 13% of Baby Boomers.

Additionally, Gen Z are the most likely generation to rely on a parental figure (23%) and a friend (13%). Our tip – if you need a hand, always ask for it!

Those with a household income below $50k are most likely to be very proficient at changing engine oil (56%) compared to those with a higher household income.

Around the grounds, VIC makes a comeback compared to checking their oil, with 45% of the population topping up their engine oil every 6-12 months. They’re followed by QLD (44%), SA (42%), NSW (39%), and tied in last place is WA, TAS, NT, and ACT on 37%.

Where to next?

You’ve checked, you’re ready to change, now you need to find a best performing oil for your car.

We could go through all the technical aspects involved in finding the perfect engine oil for your car, but to make life quick and easy we created the My Garage feature, where you can simply enter your car rego and we’ll recommend a range of suitable products for your vehicle.

When browsing the recommended engine oils for your car, you will see three options, Mineral Oil, Full Synthetic Oil, and Semi-Synthetic oil, here’s what you need to know about each.

Mineral oil is a no-frills product refined from crude engine oil. It provides decent protection and lubrication, but it does break down quicker, meaning more frequent engine oil changes. Older engines LOVE mineral oil but don’t tend to function so well on Full Synthetic or Semi-Synthetic oil.

Full Synthetic oils are chemically engineered in a lab rather than pumped from the ground. They are preferred by new and high-performance engines. Full Synthetic oil provides better lubrication and resistance to high temperature. It can cope with longer service intervals without breaking down.

Full Synthetic sounds great, and it is. But old engines and diesel engines don’t tend to like it as much.

Semi-Synthetic oils are a blend of the previous two oil types offering a good middle ground in price and performance that suits a wide range of vehicles. Semi-Synthetic engine oil is especially preferred by turbo diesel engines.

You’re now loaded with information, tools, and better still, a best performing engine oil, welcome to the expert level.

Expert – You’re on the Tools

If you’re one of the 35% of Australians that check their engine oil at least once a month, one of the 42% that change their engine oil every 6-12 months, and the 46% percent that describe themselves as being very proficient at checking and changing engine oil, you’re in the right place.

You my friend are ready to be a DIY oil-change expert! And only 2 in 10 Australians rank themselves in this category.

Yes your car will run better, yes you’ll be able to save more money at a time where the cost of living continues to climb, but more importantly you’ll be able to brag about it to your mates.

What did the research uncover?

Gen Z are the most likely generation to say they will work on their own vehicle in the future because of cost-of-living pressures (62%).

31% of those with a household income of $150k+ say they are likely to work on their own vehicle in the future because of cost-of-living pressure, although they are less likely than those with lower household incomes to say this.

Three in ten (30%) of those who usually rely on a mechanic to change the engine oil in their vehicle say they likely to work on their own vehicle in the future because of cost-of-living pressure.

Across the country, NT, ACT, and TAS residents are the most likely to work on their own car at 50%, followed by NSW (46%), SA (44%), WA and QLD (39%), and VIC (36%).

Where to next?

You know what you’re doing experts! But when you’re doing your next oil change, don't dump it! Supercheap Auto make oil recycling easy - just put the used oil in a sealed container, head to your nearest participating store and we'll dispose of it for you.

Now might also be the best time to reach out to a family member, friend, neighbour and offer a hand. Only 23% of the country say they’re very proficient at changing engine oil, and if that’s you, there’s 77% of the country left for you to help.

This research was commissioned by Supercheap Auto and conducted by YouGov. The survey took place from 28 June to 2 July 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 1,024 Australian vehicle owners (solely/jointly) aged 18 years and older who own non-EV vehicle(s). The data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.

*Important information* - Click here to read more about our How-To terms and conditions.