For people, who unlike me, know some specifics about car maintenance and such So...when do you get oil changes...someone's told me that a new car doesn't need an oil change until __________? Over 6000ish miles driven? About a year later? Thanks
It depends on the oil and filter. All oils will last 3K miles. Most cars manufacturers recommend 5-6K. My Saturn recommends 10K. BMW's changes their fully synthetic around 20K.
Yes, newer can go more miles before an oil change, but consult your owner's manual. Also, driving in a humid climate and taking frequent short trips can change how often you change the oil. In my car, there is a schedule "A" and schedule "B" depending on my drving habits and climate.
The recommended is 3000, but I think that was back in the 20th century. I change my Corolla's and Camry's oil every 5000, as recommended by Toyota. Read your manual.
My 08 Accord didn't tell me to change the oil the first time until 10K - ever since then it's been every 7K. That's the glory of synthetic oil - it lasts longer. My Accord also tells me which services I need each time I change the oil. It's nice to not have to keep track of that stuff.
I should have read my manual. I changed the oil on my car at 1500 miles the first time. I figured there might be tiny metal particles floating around from breaking it in. I changed the oil again at 3000 miles for the same reason. Since then, I have the oil changed every 5K or at least I try to.
I personally change my oil every 3000-5000 miles or at the start of every season (summer, winter, spring, fall) I use Synthetic Oil, 10/30. I don't drive a lot but If you check your dip stick and the oil is really dark I would change it.
FYI : the color of the oil has nothing necessarily to do with how well it can protect your engine. It can be black and still be good. OP : do what your manual says. The days of 3,000 mile oil changes are in the past for most cars. My car's MID tells me to change the oil every 6000-7000 or so depending upon how I drive. I use synblend or synthetic oil.
I use Amsoil and change every 10,000 miles in the Z, which is less than what I drive in a year. I drive my car like a stole it too.
The oil change places don't help much with this. The stickers they put on your car always read to change in 3000 miles or 3 months, regardless of what car you drive. Greedy bastards.
Only AMSOIL for my cars... Spoiler (Click spoiler button if you enjoy really huge corporate logos that don't make you any smarter. -- Dr of Dunk)
