When to change oil?

[scandata]

Tell me what you think of this.
I've been told that you should change your oil every six months, even if you have low mileage. Today I took my 2014 in for its first (warranty-covered) oil change. It only has about 3,000 miles, but it rolled off the line back in February. So I took it to the dealership and the mechanic saw the odometer and said, "you're nowhere near due for an oil change." I told him about the six month thing and he shot back, "who told you that?" I told him that the dealer from my last car (a Mazda) said to change a car's oil every six months regardless of mileage because the oil's consistency will change over time. Oil is oil, so the brand of car is irrelevant. He then muttered something like, "well, I'll change it, but they don't want us to do it that often, since it's coming out of our pocket." Meanwhile I'm thinking, well, the 30 grand that I paid for this car sure came out of MY pocket! Besides, I get four free oil changes while it's under warranty, and I only drive about 4,500 miles a year. Might as well use it while I can.
Does this sound legit?

[Camaro_Corvette]

I would change it when the oil life monitoring system says to change it. Up to around 3,000 miles. . Also depends if you drive mostly highway or mostly city.

[scandata]

OK, thanks. So I guess I was about due for a change anyway then.

[rtcat600man]

Once a year, or 3K - 5K miles. I don't follow the DIC.

[Skhan]

Oil just sitting in the engine is no good either. Usually workshops will give a time or a mileage range, which ever comes first to change your oil.

Since dealership have to do this free for you that's why they give you a hard time about it. Where as I think they should not care about, after how many miles do we get the oil change. Because we can only get it changed for free a certain times. Now if I get my oil change over 2 years or 4 months, I am still taking the same amount of their time and oil. So, it should not matter.

My dealer told me the same thing (you dont need it right now). I asked for them to do it anyways.

[Snidely Whiplash]

The dealer sent me a mail 6 month )free) oil change reminder. I brought it in with 1300 miles and they changed it. Only has 1900 miles now and it has 8 months on the clock. I guess I'm due for another free change.

[1fastmf]

Oil/filter change should be done at least once a year regardless of miles. The filters start to break down after long periods of time

[jrhagen]

I change mine, myself, at least twice a year. Three times if I go to the drag strip a lot. And I put about 2500 miles on it per year.

[trashmanssd]

I am ok with once year or 5-10 thousand miles depending on the quality of oil and filter used. I use full synthetic and premium filter in the Camaro so it will go on the once year with 3-5 thousand miles a year. Wife's Toyota gets synthetic and premium filter every 10k miles usually 5 months. My DD truck gets synthetic blend and avg filter every 5k miles or 3 months.

My last toy car had recommended oil changes on mobile 1 with dealer filter of 12 months or 20K miles.

Synthetic oils last a lot longer and premium filters are very well made. They have come along ways now its just time for our programmed brains to catch up.

[MightymouseSS]

I do mine every 6 months regardless of mileage. Usually within the 6 months ill have a few passes at the strip so mileage to me doesn't matter. Within the 6 months ill probably have about 3000/4000 miles on average.

[scandata]

Thanks for all the insight!

[Kendall421]

This is such a touchy subject. But I personally subscribe to rtcat600man's post. Been doing my own oil changes since 1985 and have followed this general rule. Don't follow DIC, it's just a timer/counter. My engines always outlast my cars (typically 250,000+ miles.)

Not telling anyone here what to do...it's just what I do. Do what works for you. M

[Camaro_Corvette]

You should really change you oil every time you drive the car. Drag racers do it.

[Red Jewel RS]

Originally Posted by Kendall421

This is such a touchy subject. But I personally subscribe to rtcat600man's post. Been doing my own oil changes since 1985 and have followed this general rule. Don't follow DIC, it's just a timer/counter. My engines always outlast my cars (typically 250,000+ miles.)

Not telling anyone here what to do...it's just what I do. Do what works for you. M

+1.