When should first oil change be done?

[DjSker]

I was watching some mechanic show or a car rebuild show and they mentioned that when you buy a new car you should have the oil changed after the first 500 miles because the new metal parts tend to cause small shavings or residue that effect the oil.
Is this true?

[motorhead]

I always do what the book recommends. I figure the manufacturer knows more about the Cars they build than anyone else.

Look at your book

[MYDLIFECRISIS]

You're perfectly fine at 3000 miles. These motors go through more of a break in at the factory than most people realize. But you're going to get very different answers here...look in the manual.

[Kleeeb]

I'm at 2950 miles and I haven't changed my oil yet. I will shortly after 3000 though.


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[jdsblueray2013]

Just below 1,500 miles, and will not change oil till 3k.

[jd10013]

whenever the book calls for it. yes, it's true that there is some wear. but modern manufacturing process's can create tolerances so close to perfect that the amount of material that wears off is negligible. parts can be manufactured to a 1000th of an inch now.

[Dubscamaro]

Well our camaro's DO have an oil life on the interface

[firedrop]

i did my first change at 1,700 miles.. not necessary though. whenever you want really, 3,000-5,000 would be acceptable

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted by jd10013

whenever the book calls for it. yes, it's true that there is some wear. but modern manufacturing process's can create tolerances so close to perfect that the amount of material that wears off is negligible. parts can be manufactured to a 1000th of an inch now.

In fact, in the current LS3 design, the pistons are coated so that the initial fit is -2 microns, an interference fit. In other words, the piston is very slightly wider than the cylinder. The coating wears away leaving a very tight tolerance.

The first oil change interval is one of those subjects where you'll get the early birds vs the "factory knows best" crowd and it won't be settled here.

I used to do my first changes around 1000 miles but my thoughts are evolving on this as I see more and more manufacturers go to full syn oil and stretch intervals. My daughter's 2011 V6 Accord has an OLM and they are insistent on not dumping the FF early. Turns out there have been problems with their VCM (cylinder deactivation) and part of the fix was a moly coating on the pistons designed to slowly dissolve into the oil. They wanted a 6-7,000 mile initial interval. I have a 2012 V6 Toyota with no oil monitor and they just go 10,000 right off the bat. Both cars spec 0W-20 oil. It is OBVIOUS that manufacturers today DO NOT CARE about high metals content in the crankcase oil. We know this practice will get you through a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. What we don't know is, will these practices still get you an engine life of 200,000 and beyond.

[skibik]

When I bought my car I asked that question to the service department manager and he said 3000 miles on my 2012 1LT and that is what I did. I now go by the OLM and have changed at about 8700 on the odometer and again at about 15.3k on the odometer.

Dean.

[PalmerGA]

The manual considers the first 1,500 miles to be the break-in period. During this time, GM recommends you check your oil at every refueling and add oil if necessary. I first changed my oil after this break-in period (1,500 miles). Made sense to me.

[Indydriver]

I'm curious as to whether or not anyone's dealer will work with them on shorter intervals given that the "free" maintenance is limited to 4 oil changes. Why should they care if you do them in 25,000 miles or 2500?

[2012-1822]

Originally Posted by Indydriver

I have a 2012 V6 Toyota with no oil monitor and they just go 10,000 right off the bat. It is OBVIOUS that manufacturers today DO NOT CARE about high metals content in the crankcase oil. We know this practice will get you through a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. What we don't know is, will these practices still get you an engine life of 200,000 and beyond.

You have a pretty good point here. I truly believe that the reason the import companies started recommending these high intervals has nothing to do with whether or not the car needs it. It's simply because they got into "low cost of ownership" war. Fewer oil changes, lower cost of ownership.

I don't remember what our manuals say about the first one, or the next one. A guy that works for an oil change place might tell you stick to the old 3 months or 3000 miles. But he has motivation to have you come back as often as possible.

I asked my dealer about the oil life meter. He said with synthetic stick to 5000 miles. Well he also has a motivation to have me come back more often. But frankly, I don't really want to save a couple of dollars a year now and then blow the motor up down the road because I was cheap. So I feel comfortable with every 5000 miles on synthetic.

But that's just me. No expert here.

[oldfriend]

Originally Posted by motorhead

I always do what the book recommends. I figure the manufacturer knows more about the Cars they build than anyone else.

Look at your book

Plus one , read THE BOOK ,I think if they can design , develop and built a few engines , they should know better then the TV guy , who knows what he does for a living on the real world