When to change the oil

[Capstan]

I've been changing the oil in my cars about every 5k miles, and I have heard people say they change it every 3k. This article says oil lasts a lot longer;

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop...-your-oil.html

[whaap]

I'm having mine changed for the first time tomorrow. I have 1600 miles on my FR-S. I will change every 5,000 after that. The fact that Toyota gives you a free oil change after 7500 miles doesn't mean you have to wait that long. Do what ever you feel is best.

[SubarooMike]

I change my oil every 3k miles. Personally I feel its cheap insurance. I have no doubt that the oil can go much longer, but it does not cost much and after I change it, I just feel better inside knowing it fresh oil

[ronnie13954]

Owner's manual says every 7,500 miles

[remorse87]

anyone else going to run synthetic?

[Boost_Junkie]

It requires synthetic.

I did my first one at 1,000 and subsequent oil changed will be done every 5k.

[dem00n]

For this car, every 5k miles to be safe. Just because the oil can LAST to 7,500 miles doesn't mean you have to bring it to that mileage.

[DR 86]

Changed mine at 1000, will change q 5000 hereafter. Have had Toyota engines run well into 300,000 maintenance-free. Frequent oil changes are the key to longevity.

[Capstan]

Oil quality has improved over the years. Any particular reason for changing more often than factory recommends? I don't think it helps anything.

[gmookher]

depends how hard you drive it

[bluesubie]

Don't speculate. Follow the factory recommendations or do a used oil analysis with a TBN.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

-Dennis

[raul]

Originally Posted by dem00n

For this car, every 5k miles to be safe. Just because the oil can LAST to 7,500 miles doesn't mean you have to bring it to that mileage.

You guys doing it at 3-5k are paranoid IMHO. If the manufacturer recommends 7500, it's because it can go for longer than that. Oil change intervals are designed with neglect in mind, so manufacturer recommended is still well before the oil is in the end of it's life. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual oil lasts around 9-10k miles without any significant differences. If you were a manufacturer of the car, would you tell your customers to change it at 7500 and risk their engines messing up then having to do warranty work becuase you told them the wrong thing? Did you know some Porsche models have 20k recommended intervals? The 3k interval dates back to the 1960s and is a myth today when it comes to newer cars. It relies on the fallacy that since you've been doing it at 3k all along and nothing bad has happened, therefore you're doing it right. That's flawed logic and tests by manufacturers have shown that it can last longer in a safe, reliable manner without compromising the life of the engine.

[zooki]

Of course, the manufacturer wants your motor to last past the warranty period. After that?

[DR 86]

Bah, I like changing my oil and I have money to burn, so what's the downside?