Oil Change Question

[RollsRoyce]

I am going to Cedar Falls tomorrow and I am due for an oil change in 200 miles. My car says that it has 30 percent oil life remaining. Should i try and set up an oil change before i leave or is it safe to go over? Sorry i am a ******** when it comes to cars

 

[wartknight]

You are fine. I would check the oil before you leave, but I typically go 4-4500 miles between changes rather than the 3000 and my mechanic says that is fine.

 

[DeereClone]

You are fine to go over by a little bit. I try to always change mine right around 3,000 miles, but sometimes goes higher than that.

 

[Clonefan94]

Are your miles highway or in town? Higway miles are easier on engines, so you would be OK I think. In town or on dirt roads, I wouldn't push it personally.

Although it also has to do with what kind of oil you have. Synthetics can be pushed a little bit.

 

[cstrunk]

How many miles and how long ago since your last oil change? You'll be fine if you don't get it changed before you leave, just make sure it's not low.

 

[3TrueFans]

Oil changes are for suckers.

 

[brycy]

Bought a new vehicle and it says 7500 miles between oil changes. It has a 100000 mile warranty. Does anyone really go that long? I am like most others that change around 3000 miles, just wondering if I am wasting my money, especially with that warranty. Would probably sell around 100K anyways. Sorry for the thread derail, but as others have stated a few extra miles won't hurt.

 

[brianhos]

I usually go between 7500 and 10,000 miles between changes. But my car tells me when it needs changed, so I just use that.

 

[RollsRoyce]

I normally get it every three thousand, most of the miles on the car are highway. I think i will be fine! Thanks!

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Bought a new vehicle and it says 7500 miles between oil changes. It has a 100000 mile warranty. Does anyone really go that long? I am like most others that change around 3000 miles, just wondering if I am wasting my money, especially with that warranty. Would probably sell around 100K anyways. Sorry for the thread derail, but as others have stated a few extra miles won't hurt.

As long as a majority of your miles are highway (not gravel or stop-and-go traffic), the 7,500 mile interval is perfectly acceptable. The old 3,000 mile change is no longer recommended on new vehicles because it isn't necessary. This is especially true if your vehicle is using a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil. Follow the manual or you can have a sample sent out for analysis.

I never change before 5,000 miles in my Impala and my Ford vehicle recommends 7,500 miles (syn blend oil).

Vehicles with an oil life system determine the life based on your driving habits and use predetermined algorithms to calculate life expectancy. I follow that for my Impala.

 

[DeereClone]

I normally get it every three thousand, most of the miles on the car are highway. I think i will be fine! Thanks!

You are definitely fine then.

 

[ruxCYtable]

If most of your miles are highway you should not need to change your oil every three thousand miles. However, those oil life monitors are reputed to be pretty accurate (they use an algorithm to calculate oil life based on driving habits, conditions, temp, etc.) so I'm a little surprised you're already at just 30% after less than 3,000 highway miles. Was it reset after your last change?

I used to be a religious 3,000 mile changer but I weened myself off of that. On the last change in our van I went 6,000 and sent a sample to Black Stone Labs (Blackstone Labs) and found I could easily have gone longer, the oil was still in good shape with some additive left. They will send you a free test kit and the test itself costs about $30. May seem like overkill but you will pay for that in one or two oil changes if you find you can go longer between changes. Polaris is also supposed to be a good lab but I've never used them.

I bought a new car last year and I'm weening my way again up to the recommended 7500 miles. I'm at 6k right now , next change I will do 7k, then 7.5k and then send a sample in. I will probably be able to go longer but I'll keep it at 7.5k while I'm under warranty.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

On the last change in our van I went 6,000 and sent a sample to Black Stone Labs (Blackstone Labs) and found I could easily have gone longer

This is who I was thinking of but couldn't remember the place.

 

[JWIL4CY]

I get my oil changed about once a year or around 8000 miles or so. The quality of oil has improved and there's no need to pay attention to those stickers your dealer puts in that say every 3k miles.

 

[ruxCYtable]

I get my oil changed about once a year or around 8000 miles or so. The quality of oil has improved and there's no need to pay attention to those stickers your dealer puts in that say every 3k miles.

In Europe annual oil changes are pretty common.

I have a friend who does his twice a year, in April and October, regardless of mileage. He's usually around 6k on that schedule but he doesn't like to be out changing his oil when it's cold.

I've considered going to annual oil changes before but it would require a high TBN oil like Amsoil, IMO. It's pretty expensive by the quart (I think $10-15) but if it's only once a year...

 

[ThatllDoCy]

If you are using good oil you will be fine. Put in Synthetic and you can go a long long time.

 

[Rabbuk]

I've talked to a few mechanics who say they do theres between 4.5k and 6k. I think 3k is just one of those things to drum up business for oil change places.

 

[Prometheus]

Oil changes are for suckers.

Agree. Modern cars with a good synthetic if not driving on gravel or towing will go 10,000 between changes no problem. It's a change in thought process this is why it is still dificult for some. But hey if you want to waste your money every 3,000 who am I to say otherwise. Go for it.

 

[oldman]

When I got my car from Ford a few years back, the dealer recommended every 5000 miles.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Agree. Modern cars with a good synthetic if not driving on gravel or towing will go 10,000 between changes no problem. It's a change in thought process this is why it is still dificult for some. But hey if you want to waste your money every 3,000 who am I to say otherwise. Go for it.

I wouldn't go 10k without getting the oil tested under your "normal" driving conditions to see if it will hold up that long. There actually is a wide variance of performance, even in synthetics. Valvoline Synpower, which is what I use, shows outstanding wear characteristics but it does not last as long as some others. General consensus is it's a 6000-7500 mile oil. Pennzoil Ultra, M1 and some others are comfortably going 10,000. Amsoil even more.

Point is, there's a multitude of applications and many, many formulations, so you really can't make a blanket statement that works for everyone in every situation. I would suggest that if you care enough to take the time, get your oil tested and find out how long you can safely go for your vehicle and your driving habits and then stick with that interval. If you change oils or there are major formula changes, test again. It seems like a pain in the rear but you will save a lot of money over time.

You want to see some real oil nerds, check out a site call bobistheoilguy.com and go to the forums.