First Oil Change. Which is most important, Time or Mileage?

[radroach]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Still, I cannot ignore my gut so when I begin to feel the extra NVH, I go for it.

This right here. And by my driving habits, its at right around 5000 miles that my senses driving the car are telling me it's time for a change. Oil is black and smelling like fuel, heck yes I'm happy its time for an oil change.

Also I agree with people saying it's a small price to pay to do oil changes early. In a 5000 mile interval I've probably bought ~200 gallons of gas at $3/gal and spent nearly $1000 on car insurance. So the idea that I'm gonna hold off to put a clean lubricant in my nice expensive engine just because it's gonna save me some beer money is silly.