How often should I change the oil in my standby generator?

Change the oil in a standby generator once a year as part of routine maintenance. Most homeowners need annual service because standby engines sit for long periods and short exercise runs still break oil down over time. If your generator ran for many hours during a recent outage, plan an extra oil change soon after to protect the engine. Our technicians service generators across Northern Colorado and tailor maintenance to actual outage patterns in this area.

Schedule an oil change sooner if you notice any of the following:

• The generator ran many hours in one event
• Oil looks very dark or gritty on the dipstick
• A low‑oil, service, or maintenance reminder appears
• You’re preparing for the heavy winter storm season

If a warning light is on or you suspect low oil, shut the unit down and book a technician before the next outage. <br/> Updated: 2026-04-01 <br/> Need help in Fort Collins, CO? Call (720) 386-7282 or book online.