New year, fresh starts, and the perfect ride for the coast. Start 2026 behind the wheel of a quality, affordable vehicle from Aloha Motors. From daily commuters to weekend surf trips, we’ve got great inventory, competitive pricing, and financing options to fit your lifestyle.
Whether you’re cruising Highway 1, heading to the beach, or upgrading your daily driver — we’re here to help you drive into 2026 with confidence.
☀️ Local • Honest • Reliable 🤝 Trade-ins welcome 💰 Financing available
Stop by Aloha Motors and let’s make 2026 your best year on the road.
Tire Shopping Made Easy at Aloha Motors: Trust, Quality, and Options You Can Count On
When it comes to buying new tires, the options can feel overwhelming. Different brands, tread patterns, mileage warranties, speed ratings—it’s enough to make your head spin before your wheels even do. But at Aloha Motors, we believe the most important choice you can make isn’t about rubber or ratings—it’s about trust.
We’re here to simplify the process and help you make a confident, informed decision. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, premium all-season tires, or something with a high-mileage warranty, we offer a wide selection of top tire brands tailored to your driving needs and budget. We’ll walk you through each option and explain what you’re really getting—no confusing jargon, no upsell pressure.
Tread Depth: A Quick Lesson
Did you know tire tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch? New tires typically start around 10/32 to 11/32, and in the state of California, the minimum legal tread depth is 3/32. Driving below that can compromise your traction, especially in rain or rough conditions, and could even lead to a ticket or safety violation.
Not sure where your tires stand? No problem. Swing by Aloha Motors anytime, and one of our friendly reps will take a quick look. It’s free, fast, and we’ll give you a clear idea of whether you’re good to go or due for a change—plus a no-pressure estimate if you’re ready to replace.
Why Buy Tires Through Aloha Motors?
Trusted Local Experts: We’ve built our reputation on honesty, transparency, and great customer service.
Options for Every Budget: We carry tires with various mileage warranties and performance levels to fit your driving habits and price range.
Convenience: Get a quick tread check and consultation—no appointment necessary.
At the end of the day, tires are your car’s only connection to the road. Make sure that connection is safe, durable, and made with the help of people you trust.
Visit Aloha Motors today—we’re here to keep you rolling smoothly and safely.
Synthetic oil can be better for your car’s engine than conventional oil, but it can also cost more. Synthetic oil is made with higher quality base oils than conventional oil, which makes it more chemically stable, less likely to break down, and harder to oxidize and acidify. Synthetic oil can also be a better lubricant in extreme temperatures, and it can help protect your engine from strain if you use your car for towing or hauling heavy materials. However, synthetic oil changes can cost more than conventional oil changes, so you might need to factor that into your decision.
Here are some other benefits of synthetic oil:
Engine performance: Synthetic oil can help your engine run at optimal performance.
Longevity: Synthetic oil takes longer to break down than conventional oil, so your engine can go longer between oil changes.
Sludge buildup: Synthetic oil can help prevent sludge buildup, which is a gunky residue that can form when oil breaks down and block oil passages.
You can check your car’s owner’s manual to see if your vehicle recommends synthetic or conventional oil. Most cars can use either type of oil, unless your engine specifically needs conventional oil.
How often should I change my oil if I use synthetic?
7,500 – 15,000 miles
Unlike regular car oil, synthetic oil is more refined which can lower friction, reduce engine sludge, and increase engine performance. It’s recommended that you change synthetic oil every 7,500 – 15,000 miles, depending on the vehicle and the brand of synthetic oil used.
If you need a new vehicle come visit us downtown in Santa Cruz at Aloha Motors. You can come in to Aloha Motors and test drive any of our cars without any commitment or pushy sales guys like the other dealerships. We offer extended service contracts and warranties on all of our vehicles. Our cars for sale range from Honda, Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Chevrolet, Acura, Nissan, Mercedes and more. If you’re looking for a used truck in Santa Cruz, we have those too!
If you have any questions about the sales process or about financing your next vehicle, feel free to give us a call (831) 400-5188 and learn more. https://www.alohamotors.net/
It is the 28th Annual Woodies on the Wharf car show this weekend June 22 & 23. Also known as Northern California’s largest woodie show featuring more than 200 woodie cars. Admission is free!
A vehicle is a depreciating asset, meaning it tends to lose value over time. According to Kelley Blue Book, a new car loses 20% of its value in the first year after purchase. Within the first five years, that number grows to 60%
Pros of buying used
Less expensive: Used vehicles’ primary benefit is that they tend to be less expensive than their new counterparts.
Lower insurance costs and fees: Many pre-owned cars carry lower insurance rates, titling fees and sales taxes.
Slower depreciation: Used cars also depreciate much more slowly.
Purchasing a used car over a new vehicle is a great option for many drivers. As inflation rates in the U.S. soar to record-high numbers, Americans are seeing its effects at the grocery store checkout and at the gas pump. And with the new vehicle costs averaging close to $48,500 in August 2023, according to Kelley Blue Book, now might be the perfect time to save money by buying used.
Buying used will save you money
Going for a used car rather than a new one can save you big bucks in several ways. A used vehicle will cost less based on sticker price alone — but that’s not where the savings stop. You will also be reaching for your wallet much less than if you drove a brand-new vehicle in terms of fees, insurance and vehicle depreciation.
The average monthly payment in the fourth quarter of 2023 for a used vehicle is $532, while drivers financing a new vehicle paid $738, according to Experian. Saving more than $200 a month adds up quickly. While paying a lower purchase price for the same car model of a different year is the obvious reason to buy a used car, there are others as well.
Lower dealership fees
Just as insurance varies by ZIP code, the expected fees that come with your used vehicle are not created equal across all 50 states. But they are less expensive than the fees associated with a new vehicle because the cost of the vehicle is less in the first place. This is especially true for any sales tax that you may have to pay.
Aloha Motors is located in Santa Cruz CA and offering amazing used cars at great low prices. We have been in the automotive business since 2013 and our staff has many years in the automotive industry. You can rest assured that we will do our best to get you the best price and also the best deals on your auto loan. We are a family owned business that makes our customer satisfaction its main priority regardless if you’re buying a car or not.
You can come in to Aloha Motors and test drive any of our cars without any commitment or pushy sales guys like the other dealerships. We offer extended service contracts and warranties on all of our vehicles. Our cars for sale range from Honda, Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Chevrolet, Acura, Nissan, Mercedes and more. If you’re looking for a used truck in Santa Cruz, we have those too!
If you have any questions about the sales process or about financing your next vehicle, feel free to give us a call (831) 400-5188 and learn more. https://www.alohamotors.net/
It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car’s engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services! So what’s the right answer?
When Your Vehicle Is in Warranty
When a vehicle is new, the answer is simple: If you don’t want to void your powertrain warranty, follow the oil type, mileage, and time recommendations in the owner’s manual. (Lost your owner’s manual? It’s likely available online.) In most cases, you’ll be taking your vehicle to the dealer for required inspections and maintenance, and oil changes will be included in that regime.
Some newer vehicles have a built-in oil-life monitor. This gadget uses an algorithm, sensors, and software that keep track of drive temperatures, cold starts, driving hours, idling hours, and engine revs. It uses that data to calculate the oil’s condition and warranty-preserving change intervals. Keep in mind that the oil monitor is calibrated for the oil type recommended in the owner’s manual. Service alerts are displayed in the instrument cluster. In some systems, one of the instrument-cluster information screens will read out remaining oil life as a percentage. This is much different from the red oil-pressure warning light that glows when you start the engine. If that’s on while you’re driving or idling, it means you’re out of oil or have a very serious engine issue. Time to park and key off.
When Your Vehicle Is Out of Warranty
Once you’re outside the maker’s warranty, determining change intervals requires some common sense and an educated guess—unless your vehicle has an aforementioned oil-life monitor. There are often different recommendations for normal and severe driving. Intervals vary widely depending on whom you ask, whether you tow (and how often), the time of year, and even where you drive.
Severe conditions include:
If you make many short trips of five miles or less (in normal temperatures)
If you make many short trips of 10 miles or less (in freezing temperatures)
Extreme hot-weather stop-and-go driving
Driving at low speeds for long distances
Lots of miles on dusty, muddy, salty, sandy, or gravel roads
Long-distance trailer towing
Track driving
Are Frequent Oil Changes Better?
Not surprisingly, service providers (oil-change shops and dealerships) tend to recommend shorter change intervals (3000 to 5000 miles). That can never hurt your engine, but it also means they’ll see you and your credit card more often. When your car’s on the lift for an oil change, other wear items such as brake pads, coolant, tires, and shocks can also be assessed and possibly replaced. So it’s also obviously good for their business. (With older vehicles, which may burn oil, you’ll want to check the oil level using the dipstick at least once a month.) But if you’re not driving your car in severe conditions—and few of us are—you can stick to the manufacturer’s recommended oil-change intervals (which often include an oil-filter change at the same time). And, of course, if your car has an oil-life monitor, heed that.
Longer-Life Oils
What about using premium extended-life and pricey synthetic oils for projected 10,000- and even 12,000-mile changes? About synthetics: Almost all newer vehicles use synthetic oil, so if the manufacturer specifies that, you must use it. Many older vehicles weren’t filled with synthetics when new and still use conventional petroleum-based oil. In that case, you have a choice.
How Often Should You Change Synthetic Oil?
Some oil refiners produce sophisticated carmaker-approved extended-life oils that do help stretch the time between changes. These oils have special chemistry or additives that support their ability to go longer distances. They resist high-temperature breakdown better and keep dirt and particulates in suspension longer so that the oil filter can catch them. They also cost more than standard oils; you’ll need to do the math to see if it’s worth the extra cost.
A Few Words of Caution
If you operate on dirt roads or in dusty or road-salted environments and do lots of cold starts and short runs, the factory oil filter has only so much scrubbing capacity. (That’s why most makers recommend replacing the filter at each oil change.) Further, the longer-range oils can become contaminated by the sheer volume of combustion gases that blow past the worn piston rings of older cars. At some point, the oil is no longer protecting the sliding surfaces within the engine as well as it should. Engine wear accelerates after the oil breaks down or is highly contaminated. And finally, almost no automaker recommends that oil should be left in the crankcase for more than one year—no matter the mileage.
Recycling Oil
If you’re changing your own oil, be sure to recycle properly. Most auto-parts stores (check before you buy) and oil-change businesses will take back used oil at no charge. Whether you do it yourself or have it done for you, changing your oil at the proper intervals will make your engine last longer and run better.
FAQs
How often should you change your oil in months?
It depends on the manufacturer. The old-school way was every three months, but with improvements to oil quality and engine materials, that interval can be pushed to anywhere between six and 12 months. Your owner’s manual will detail the interval.
What happens if you go too long without an oil change?
As your oil quality wears down, so do the components it’s supposed to protect. If you go excessively long between oil changes, you’ll reach the point of no return, and your vehicle’s engine will become a massive repair bill, or even total failure.
Can I change oil every two years?
No. Almost no automaker recommends that oil should be left in the crankcase for more than one year—no matter the mileage.
How do I know when my oil needs changing?
Typically, follow the mileage and time intervals listed by your vehicle’s manufacturer. But this can vary, depending on the severity of your driving. As detailed above, shorter trips, track time, and dusty roads can cause your oil to break down faster and need to be changed earlier.
Some vehicles have instrument-cluster information screens that will read out remaining oil life as a percentage. If you don’t have this feature, follow along with the sticker from the oil-change place or keep track of mileage on your own. Don’t forget to check your oil via the dipstick at least once a month.
If you are looking for a great used vehicle, visit us at Aloha Motors in downtown Santa Cruz!
Proper tire inflation is very important to maintain. Too low–will wear your tires quick, and you will increase rolling resistance to your vehicle (your engine will have to work harder to power you down the road—think trying to pedal a bicycle with low tires–it’s hard!!) Too much air is not good either!
This can affect your fuel economy along with your tire condition which could cause premature wear and tear. Most vehicles are now equipped with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor Systems) which can alert a driver of low tires pressures. Be sure to pay attention to this light if it does come on while driving.
We would recommend pulling over immediately to check all 4 tires of your vehicle. Sometimes this can be the difference between having to make a small patch repair of about $40.00 to getting a whole new tire and possibly damaging your rim to a tune of $200-$500 or more if the rim has been damaged.
We’ve attached a photo of what to look for on the driver door of your vehicle.
If you ever need help with this or to get your tire pressure checked come on by our location and we can help!
As of March 19th 2020 the COVID-19 virus has affected the world and we here in Santa Cruz County have been put into a Shelter In Place order along with the rest of the great state of California by Governor Gavin Newsom .
We urge all of our customers to be safe during this time and follow all CDC and STATE guidelines to prevent the spread of this unfortunate outbreak devastating our country and the world.
We are doing our part by following social distancing practices and continue to sanitize our showroom and areas before and after each customer comes into the dealership.
We too have been hurt by these tragic events. Our partners and lenders have come together to try and offer help to people in this time of need.
All well qualified applicants are being offered 90 Days till there first payment and additional help in financing a new used car.
Please support your local businesses and keep us all functioning on this road to recovery. We are your neighbor!
During this time we will be open and available VIA PHONE / E-MAIL. Please contact us any time to make an appointment to TEST DRIVE, VIEW, and Purchase your vehicle of choice.
Happy Holidays and Merry Xmas to all of our valued customers! We appreciate another successful year of serving the Central Coast and Bayarea with quality used cars and a positive experience! We are always working on new ways to improve our quality of inventory and customer EXPERIENCE! As Christmas approaches and the year closes in, we wish all our clients and prospective clients a Happy and Healthy end to 2019, and a prosperous and successful 2020!!!
Aloha Motors Santa Cruz Blog 