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  3. Oil at 3K or Manufacturer's recommendations?

Oil at 3K or Manufacturer's recommendations?

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  • N Nick Jacobs

    Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

    This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

    R Offline
    R Offline
    Rama Krishna Vavilala
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    Nick Jacobs wrote:

    3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

    If the car is realtively new, go for Manufacturer's recommendations. I used to replace oil of my 1997 Corolla every 3000 miles. But for my new car (2005) I do it every 5000 miles. BTW: I think the 7500 mile oil change will also work if you are not driving it in extreme conditions like dust/frequent stop and go/ etc.


    Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it. -Brian Kernighan

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    • N Nick Jacobs

      Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

      This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

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      C Offline
      Chris Maunder
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      Every 5K kilometres for older cars since there will usually be a bit more blow-by, 10K for newer cars and using synethetic oil.

      cheers, Chris Maunder

      CodeProject.com : C++ MVP

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      • N Nick Jacobs

        Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

        This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

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        C Offline
        Chris Losinger
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        i do it every 5000m. that's 5000 meters, not miles - i basically only drive to the JiffyLube and back.

        image processing | blogging

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        • N Nick Jacobs

          Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

          This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

          D Offline
          D Offline
          Dan Neely
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          On my old car I did cheap oil and every 3-4k, depending on when I got around to it. The 5/7/10k miminimum oils are higher grade synthetics that last longer than the cheap stuff. The minimum time recomendations also have to be conservative because there's a large variation in lifetime depending on how you drive. My new car has a dynamic oil life measurement system of some sort, and it looks like I'll be getting between 6.5 and 8k miles before it gets to the change soon point and another 700-1000 before the change asap level. My dealer didn't said anything about putting a long life oil in, so I assume it's just the normal stuff. I don't dragrace my car and since I'm the only passenger 95% of the time in a full sized sedan I'm not loading it down heavily either to speed the oil breakdown. The owners manual says 3500mi if you accidentally reset it.

          -- Rules of thumb should not be taken for the whole hand.

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          • N Nick Jacobs

            Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

            This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

            M Offline
            M Offline
            Member 96
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            We bought a new car in 2002, an expensive one, we take it to the dealer on the schedule they set without fail. If it was a used car I'd probably just change it once a year and leave it at that.

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            • M Member 96

              We bought a new car in 2002, an expensive one, we take it to the dealer on the schedule they set without fail. If it was a used car I'd probably just change it once a year and leave it at that.

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              N Offline
              Nick Jacobs
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              John Cardinal wrote:

              on the schedule they set without fail.

              So would that be the manufacturer schedule? Meaning (probably) more than every 3,000 miles between oil changes?

              This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

              M 1 Reply Last reply
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              • N Nick Jacobs

                Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

                This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

                E Offline
                E Offline
                Ed Poore
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                Nick Jacobs wrote:

                do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles

                I never change the oil in my Land Rover because they had the forsight to make the oil leak slightly to lubricate engine parts and also you never have to change the oil, just keep on topping it up. Much more satisfactory ;P

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                • N Nick Jacobs

                  John Cardinal wrote:

                  on the schedule they set without fail.

                  So would that be the manufacturer schedule? Meaning (probably) more than every 3,000 miles between oil changes?

                  This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

                  M Offline
                  M Offline
                  Member 96
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  Yup manufacturer schedule. I'm not sure what it actually is though to be honest, they have this weird scale where the first service is on a shorter mileage than the second and the third is even further beyond that, each type is different, then it cycles around again to the first one. I know they don't do an oil change on every service. Basically they phone us we book it and take it in. It was basically free for the first couple of years anyway, we still do it now on schedule because we liked the car so much we bought out the lease and kept it. It's got a 227hp 4 cylinder engine with turbo so the maintenance schedule is proabably on a shorter cycle than the average car.

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                  • E Ed Poore

                    Nick Jacobs wrote:

                    do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles

                    I never change the oil in my Land Rover because they had the forsight to make the oil leak slightly to lubricate engine parts and also you never have to change the oil, just keep on topping it up. Much more satisfactory ;P

                    N Offline
                    N Offline
                    Nick Jacobs
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    Ed.Poore wrote:

                    I never change the oil in my Land Rover because they had the forsight to make the oil leak slightly to lubricate engine parts and also you never have to change the oil, just keep on topping it up.

                    Sounds like my old rusty pickup... Oh wait, thats'a hol(e)y pickup.... My nephew calls it wrinkley.... :-D

                    This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

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                    • N Nick Jacobs

                      Ed.Poore wrote:

                      I never change the oil in my Land Rover because they had the forsight to make the oil leak slightly to lubricate engine parts and also you never have to change the oil, just keep on topping it up.

                      Sounds like my old rusty pickup... Oh wait, thats'a hol(e)y pickup.... My nephew calls it wrinkley.... :-D

                      This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

                      E Offline
                      E Offline
                      Ed Poore
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      Nick Jacobs wrote:

                      Sounds like my old rusty pickup

                      Well mine ain't a pickup and it ain't (well won't be) rusty.  Going to get a galvanised chassis for it. Two stickers I've seen on the back of Landies which sum them up: Turn back, you're not going to make it. Mine may be a rust bucket but which scrap yard will yours be in in 50 years? :-D, yes they have a few faults but no car / 4x4 / pickup will beat them for vesatility and off-road ability (unless you go specialised of course, but then if you specialise a Landy then it'll certainly give it a run for it's money).

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                      • N Nick Jacobs

                        Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

                        This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

                        C Offline
                        C Offline
                        Christopher Duncan
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        I just do what the car tells me to do... :)

                        Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com

                        B 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • N Nick Jacobs

                          Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

                          This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

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                          B Offline
                          brianwelsch
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Typically some where between the oil companies, who want to sell more oil, and manufacturers, who want to sell more cars, is where to look. My car has an internal gauge that tells me when I need an oil change based on some formula involving distance, RPMs, etc... That was leaving me at around 7-8K miles. I decided on my last change, since I have 110K miles on the clock, that every 5K will be my mark. You can also have your oil tested (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/[^]) if you have any doubts. It costs $20 and you get a lot of info. Good for peace of mind.

                          BW


                          If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
                          -- Steven Wright

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                          • C Christopher Duncan

                            I just do what the car tells me to do... :)

                            Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com

                            B Offline
                            B Offline
                            brianwelsch
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            Are you driving KITT, these days?

                            BW


                            If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
                            -- Steven Wright

                            C 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • B brianwelsch

                              Are you driving KITT, these days?

                              BW


                              If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
                              -- Steven Wright

                              C Offline
                              C Offline
                              Christopher Duncan
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              You mean, a mere Firebird??? How pedestrian! :-D

                              Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com

                              B 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • C Christopher Duncan

                                You mean, a mere Firebird??? How pedestrian! :-D

                                Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com

                                B Offline
                                B Offline
                                brianwelsch
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                :-D I meant no offense, sir.

                                BW


                                If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
                                -- Steven Wright

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                                • B brianwelsch

                                  :-D I meant no offense, sir.

                                  BW


                                  If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
                                  -- Steven Wright

                                  C Offline
                                  C Offline
                                  Christopher Duncan
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  :laugh:

                                  Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com

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                                  • N Nick Jacobs

                                    Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

                                    This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

                                    C Offline
                                    C Offline
                                    Charlie Williams
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    BMW recommends 15,000(!) miles for the new 3 series cars. However, they have a conflict in that oil changes and routine maintenance are included in the car's purchase price (up to 50,000 miles). I'm all for following manufacturers' recommendations, but 15,000 miles seems a bit of a stretch.


                                    if(!curlies){ return; }

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                                    • N Nick Jacobs

                                      Ok, Here's the oil question of the day, do you change your OIL at 3,000 miles like the oil industries says is good for your car, or do you change it at what ever the car manufacturer recommends? (I've seen some as high as 10,000 miles between oil changes, most between 5,000-7500 miles). I've heard arguments both ways: quotes like: "...The oil companies say it makes your car last much longer at 3,000 miles..." To "...Why would the oil companies know more about how the car is made versus the manufacturer?, besides, what does the manufacturer gain at 7500 mile oil changes..." So, what do you think? 3K or manufacturer's suggestion?

                                      This are my own opinions. You know the rest.....

                                      J Offline
                                      J Offline
                                      Jeremy Falcon
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #19

                                      Nick Jacobs wrote:

                                      So, what do you think?

                                      Depends on the oil/car. For instance BMWs don't need them at all. In fact, getting an oil change can void your warranty I believe. I use synthetic oil for my truck and it's good for 6,000 miles (so I was told).

                                      Jeremy Falcon A multithreaded, OpenGL-enabled application.[^]

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                                      • C Charlie Williams

                                        BMW recommends 15,000(!) miles for the new 3 series cars. However, they have a conflict in that oil changes and routine maintenance are included in the car's purchase price (up to 50,000 miles). I'm all for following manufacturers' recommendations, but 15,000 miles seems a bit of a stretch.


                                        if(!curlies){ return; }

                                        J Offline
                                        J Offline
                                        Jeremy Falcon
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        Charlie Williams wrote:

                                        BMW recommends 15,000(!) miles for the new 3 series cars.

                                        That's odd. Both my mother and brother have a BMW (don't know the model, as I'm not a car fanatic) and they don't change their oil at all.

                                        Jeremy Falcon A multithreaded, OpenGL-enabled application.[^]

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                                        • J Jeremy Falcon

                                          Nick Jacobs wrote:

                                          So, what do you think?

                                          Depends on the oil/car. For instance BMWs don't need them at all. In fact, getting an oil change can void your warranty I believe. I use synthetic oil for my truck and it's good for 6,000 miles (so I was told).

                                          Jeremy Falcon A multithreaded, OpenGL-enabled application.[^]

                                          B Offline
                                          B Offline
                                          brianwelsch
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #21

                                          Are you sure about that? BMW does have some fluids that are "lifetime", but I don't think oil is one of them. I know their transmission fluids are considered "lifetime", but most people still get it changed after 100K+, it's not an expensive task and doesn't hurt. As far as oil, even if they made synth oils that never broke down, the filters would still need to be replaced periodically. You could well be right, but I would suggest your folks double check that before anything major happens due to not changing the oil.

                                          BW


                                          If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
                                          -- Steven Wright

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