Oil at 3K or Manufacturer's recommendations?
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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.....
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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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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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.
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.....
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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.....
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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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.....
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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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
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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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.....
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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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.....
I just do what the car tells me to do... :)
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
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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.....
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 -
I just do what the car tells me to do... :)
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
Are you driving KITT, these days?
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
Are you driving KITT, these days?
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven WrightYou mean, a mere Firebird??? How pedestrian! :-D
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
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You mean, a mere Firebird??? How pedestrian! :-D
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
:-D I meant no offense, sir.
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright -
:-D I meant no offense, sir.
BW
If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.
-- Steven Wright:laugh:
Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
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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.....
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.
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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.....
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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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.
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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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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.[^]
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 -
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.....
I get my car serviced one a year, and I generally let them sort it out. It's pretty much manufacturer's recommendations, but they also look at the oil filter, and if it's unusually clogged, they'll do an oil change as a precaution.
Ryan
"Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"
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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 Wrightbrianwelsch wrote:
Are you sure about that?
Not any more. :-D
brianwelsch wrote:
BMW does have some fluids that are "lifetime", but I don't think oil is one of them.
You may be right. A car expert I am not, so this could very well be the case. I do recall them saying something along the lines of not having to change some fluid - ever, and I thought that was cool.
Jeremy Falcon A multithreaded, OpenGL-enabled application.[^]
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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.....
I get an oil change at 5000 miles always. Of course I have a diesel truck so my schedule is different as well as the ease with which ford will kill a warranty. As for oil, stfw (sorry, I just like that acronym) there are many oils that are designed to last well beyond 3000 miles. Quick change oil places tend to not stock long lasting oils (they make their money per change) but some do carry the longer lasting blends and synthetics. Depending on your driving style and conditions a decent blend can last 15,000 miles. Beyond that, a well maintained car will last longer. Getting services at regular intervals will identify problems while they are cheap as well as remove excess wear and tear. At $24 an oil change it is cheap insurance. BTW, I use Jiffy Lube.
On two occasions I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question. - Charles Babbage