Oil Changes
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2
From: North Carolina
Oil Changes
Hey guys, I would like to hear opinions on oil change intervals, I see that a lot of people do 3k or 3 months, whichever comes first. I am already at 3 months, but have only put 2k miles on it since my last change, I feel like I am changing it super soon. Is it really recommended to do it that soon? Thanks!
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 2
From: arkansas
i'm not sure i can post a link but here goes, explains all you need to know.
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...r-a9532249359/
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...r-a9532249359/
Gentleman's Relish
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,189
From: AZ
If you want to really know what works for your specific engine and driving habits, send your oil into an independent testing lab like Blackstone or similar. They'll tell you the condition of your oil as well as potential internal engine wear/failure that is happening.
Otherwise, in a nutshell, this is what I preach and use myself.
3k oil change intervals only if you're still using Dino oil.
5k with semisynthetic
7.5k with full synthetic.
Oil should be changed at least once a year regardless of miles driven. Moisture, exhaust residue and fuel all get dumped into the oil and turn it acidic. Sitting around not being driven enough with some miles on the oil causes the oil to break down faster and form varnish. Varnish gunks up the oiling system and starts to plug up lubrication pathways. That all accelerates engine wear.
10k mile intervals is just plain stupid and a marketing gimmick. Most OEM's have fine print regarding their "10K" oil change interval recommendation. That fine print (aka severe duty driving) states that a lot of idling , short trips, or high heat (high summer heat) should consider a shorter interval. That shorter interval is 7.5k miles for full synthetic and ~5K for semi depending on the mfg of the car. .
Unless you plan on trading or selling your car before you hit 100K.. If you drain your oil and it's black water, you've waited too long. This applies to any of the intervals above. If at 7.5k your synthetic oil is black water, try 6k miles. It's better to have oil look like it could've gone a little longer vs oil that is totally spent. You cannot undo engine wear. Oil is cheap, engines are not.
For reference, I grew up around cars, worked auto parts stores and worked in shops throughout college I was ASE certified at one time for performance, A/C, and brakes. These days I do nearly all of the work on my cars myself. Unless it's under warranty. Then I let the dealer do it. I
I've owned 8 new cars in my lifetime. All of them driven hard even during hot southwest heat and all for more than 150K miles. At most, our 2013 turbo beetle burned 1 quart quart every 7.5k miles The reset of our vehicles burned less than 1/2 qt following those intervals above over the course of their ownership.
Otherwise, in a nutshell, this is what I preach and use myself.
3k oil change intervals only if you're still using Dino oil.
5k with semisynthetic
7.5k with full synthetic.
Oil should be changed at least once a year regardless of miles driven. Moisture, exhaust residue and fuel all get dumped into the oil and turn it acidic. Sitting around not being driven enough with some miles on the oil causes the oil to break down faster and form varnish. Varnish gunks up the oiling system and starts to plug up lubrication pathways. That all accelerates engine wear.
10k mile intervals is just plain stupid and a marketing gimmick. Most OEM's have fine print regarding their "10K" oil change interval recommendation. That fine print (aka severe duty driving) states that a lot of idling , short trips, or high heat (high summer heat) should consider a shorter interval. That shorter interval is 7.5k miles for full synthetic and ~5K for semi depending on the mfg of the car. .
Unless you plan on trading or selling your car before you hit 100K.. If you drain your oil and it's black water, you've waited too long. This applies to any of the intervals above. If at 7.5k your synthetic oil is black water, try 6k miles. It's better to have oil look like it could've gone a little longer vs oil that is totally spent. You cannot undo engine wear. Oil is cheap, engines are not.
For reference, I grew up around cars, worked auto parts stores and worked in shops throughout college I was ASE certified at one time for performance, A/C, and brakes. These days I do nearly all of the work on my cars myself. Unless it's under warranty. Then I let the dealer do it. I
I've owned 8 new cars in my lifetime. All of them driven hard even during hot southwest heat and all for more than 150K miles. At most, our 2013 turbo beetle burned 1 quart quart every 7.5k miles The reset of our vehicles burned less than 1/2 qt following those intervals above over the course of their ownership.
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