When should i do an oil change?

[suaveflooder]

This is an interesting thread.

While I get the idea to change the oil out early, I'm probably going to wait until 7500 miles or so before I do it, perhaps a touch earlier. There is a reason why engineers (who have gone to school for this mind you) have given the okay for a 7500 mile oil change interval.

This reminds me of the TV show House (which I love), when he gets clinic patients walking in telling him what they have because they learned it off the internet. I don't remember exactly what the quote was, but it was something to the effect of, why go to med school when you can just find the answer on the internet? He was obviously being sarcastic with all the "self diagnosis." That's kind of how I feel on this thread. Why get an engineering degree when you have the forum members to "disprove" it.

Point is this: There has been a lot of testing on these motors as to what they can and can't handle, tolerances, and fluid and oil wear. If you want to believe the guys on this forum, that's totally fine, and in all honesty, any harm will probably never be noticed....but I think I'm gonna trust the guy that actually built and tested my car.

[supramkivtt2jz]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

This is an interesting thread.

While I get the idea to change the oil out early, I'm probably going to wait until 7500 miles or so before I do it, perhaps a touch earlier. There is a reason why engineers (who have gone to school for this mind you) have given the okay for a 7500 mile oil change interval.

This reminds me of the TV show House (which I love), when he gets clinic patients walking in telling him what they have because they learned it off the internet. I don't remember exactly what the quote was, but it was something to the effect of, why go to med school when you can just find the answer on the internet? He was obviously being sarcastic with all the "self diagnosis." That's kind of how I feel on this thread. Why get an engineering degree when you have the forum members to "disprove" it.

Point is this: There has been a lot of testing on these motors as to what they can and can't handle, tolerances, and fluid and oil wear. If you want to believe the guys on this forum, that's totally fine, and in all honesty, any harm will probably never be noticed....but I think I'm gonna trust the guy that actually built and tested my car.

Because no car is perfect. People change it as a precautionary thing. I highly doubt the "guy" that "built" the car anticipated leaky light fixtures. Im sure as hell not waiting 100k miles to change spark plugs on my other car regardless of any advertising or documentation. Maintenance related items wear at varying rates and need to be replaced accordingly. The mean time to replacement or repair is just that - an average.

[KSC]

It's a neverending debate:

-On the one side, early drainers want to eliminate the metals from shearing new engine parts as soon as possible to avoid any damage they may cause to internal components.

-On the other hand, there are those that feel the high levels of additives found in assembly lube and the "factory fill" formulations are there for a reason, and that draining them out too early can be detrimental.

Who's right? Who knows! It's no different than Googling "what's the best car wax". You'll never get a definitive answer, yet the asking continues...

[Mr.Corvus]

Originally Posted by KSC

It's a neverending debate:

-On the one side, early drainers want to eliminate the metals from shearing new engine parts as soon as possible to avoid any damage they may cause to internal components.

-On the other hand, there are those that feel the high levels of additives found in assembly lube and the "factory fill" formulations are there for a reason, and that draining them out too early can be detrimental.

Who's right? Who knows! It's no different than Googling "what's the best car wax". You'll never get a definitive answer, yet the asking continues...

Nope, that one was answered. Read it and weep (weep sorrowfully and deeply)
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31015

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by supramkivtt2jz

Because no car is perfect. People change it as a precautionary thing. I highly doubt the "guy" that "built" the car anticipated leaky light fixtures. Im sure as hell not waiting 100k miles to change spark plugs on my other car regardless of any advertising or documentation. Maintenance related items wear at varying rates and need to be replaced accordingly. The mean time to replacement or repair is just that - an average.

Please tell me you didn't just compare an engine's function to a tail light's. I can promise you, there was a lot more testing and time put into the engine than they spent on a tail light.

Like I said, I'm not gonna make a big fuss over people who change their oil early. That's totally up to them, and there will probably be zero difference in the cars performance and longevity. I just don't feel its necessary. It's like the people who still change their oil every 3000 miles. Even on a beaten engine, with the correct oil, 7500 miles is more than enough.

According to the maintenance guide, severe conditions require a 3750 mile oil change. I drive mostly freeway, so I'm not worried about the 7500 mile interval.

As far as the spark plugs are concerned, my maintenance guide is telling me to replace them at 60k miles? Where did you get 100k from?

Someone mentioned this earlier and I truly believe this: this car is pretty "stupid" proof. If you can get your dealer to change your oil for you early, by all means, be my guest. Under normal driving conditions, which most of us do, the 7500 mile interval will probably be fine.

[KSC]

Originally Posted by Mr.Corvus

Nope, that one was answered. Read it and weep (weep sorrowfully and deeply)
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31015

I stand corrected! Well, that's one down, anyway!

[Mr.Corvus]

Totally agree with the "tried and tested" argument; even though these cars were rolled out on an assembly line and as such will all have their individual minor kinks and fixes (just check the recall forum section), no car company is going to steer you completely wrong as to harm the vehicle. That's just bad press.

Biggest reason I'm doing an early oil change is because I've never actually done one before, and frankly, I'm way too excited to work on this car to wait for the 5k marker on my windshield.

[supramkivtt2jz]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

As far as the spark plugs are concerned, my maintenance guide is telling me to replace them at 60k miles? Where did you get 100k from?

Originally Posted by supramkivtt2jz

Because no car is perfect. People change it as a precautionary thing. I highly doubt the "guy" that "built" the car anticipated leaky light fixtures. Im sure as hell not waiting 100k miles to change spark plugs on my other car regardless of any advertising or documentation. Maintenance related items wear at varying rates and need to be replaced accordingly. The mean time to replacement or repair is just that - an average.

.

[ssh88]

Manual states every 7500 or 6 months. Whichever comes first

[Mr.Corvus]

Hey guys, are there magnetic oil filter rings that'll fit a K&N PS-1004? I've been looking around and all I can find are external ones or rings for motocross bikes.

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by supramkivtt2jz

.

Interesting. If they are a good plug they should be fine. I just recently changed my parents highlander plugs at 128k miles and they looked fine. I was shocked in all honesty. I am thrilled parts are lasting longer nowadays

[supramkivtt2jz]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

Interesting. If they are a good plug they should be fine. I just recently changed my parents highlander plugs at 128k miles and they looked fine. I was shocked in all honesty. I am thrilled parts are lasting longer nowadays

Call me crazy, but I prefer old fashioned copper core plugs that wore down in 25000. When i had my mustang, regapping them every 5k or so was a real wake up call. I knew it was time to regap them if i could not chirp the tires on the 2-3 shift

i think its terrible that the plugs are the most difficult thing to get to on this car, but fantastic at the same time the oil is so damn easy. God forbid if I ever want to do a compression check...

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by supramkivtt2jz

Call me crazy, but I prefer old fashioned copper core plugs that wore down in 25000. When i had my mustang, regapping them every 5k or so was a real wake up call. I knew it was time to regap them if i could not chirp the tires on the 2-3 shift

i think its terrible that the plugs are the most difficult thing to get to on this car, but fantastic at the same time the oil is so damn easy. God forbid if I ever want to do a compression check...

Lol! AGREED! I ran copper plugs on my 03 mustang cobra. I changed them out every oil change (10k miles), but like you mentioned, they are a lot harder to get to in the FRS. From start to finish in the cobra it was under 30 minutes, including gaping them.

I was wondering about the compression check, lol. Plugs are gonna be a pain enough. On this car i am thankful that the stock plugs last as long as they do. I wouldn't want to have to change them as often as i did in my cobra

[SXE10]

Iridium plugs are far superior in modern engines. The give a better spark, increasing performance & economy.