When the light illuminates, it's best to get the oil changed as soon as possible, but it's not necessarily urgent. Get in the habit of checking your oil at least once a month to ensure your car's not leaking or burning oil. If the level is low, add oil.
How bad is skipping an oil change?
The problem with postponing an oil change That heat leads to thermal breakdown, oxidation, and the introduction of impurities. Acids form and eat away at engine components. So does corrosion. Even dust and dirt from the air can enter your engine through the air cleaner, eventually making its way into the oil.