View Poll Results: How often do you change your oil?
According to the manufacturer's service interval, or less frequently?
44
65.67%
More frequently than is suggested by the manufacturer?
23
34.33%
Voters: 67. You may not vote on this poll
Do you change your oil as often as the manufacturer recommends, or more often?
03-16-20, 06:46 AM
#76
only exception to my oil change interval is the viper, i change it once a year regardless of the mileage. Only did 2200 miles last year on it and I send it out for annual oil analysis. I use 15W-50 on it, the factory fill is 0W-40. Chief powertrain engineer said unofficially that the 0W-40 was for mileage and he would recommend 15W-50. It is thicker, took a while to drain on the last oil change when cool. I definately let the car warm up for a few minutes before even moving out of the driveway.
03-16-20, 08:50 AM
#77
Pole Position
Variable valve timing (VVTi) is affected by the oil's weight specification, so always use what the manufacturer recommends if you have a VVTi engine.
03-16-20, 10:00 AM
#78
Lexus Champion
only exception to my oil change interval is the viper, i change it once a year regardless of the mileage. Only did 2200 miles last year on it and I send it out for annual oil analysis. I use 15W-50 on it, the factory fill is 0W-40. Chief powertrain engineer said unofficially that the 0W-40 was for mileage and he would recommend 15W-50. It is thicker, took a while to drain on the last oil change when cool. I definately let the car warm up for a few minutes before even moving out of the driveway.
03-16-20, 10:25 AM
#79
not when that is $20/qt on amazon, when I can go to wally world and get 15W-50 for $24/5qt. I need to have 11qt plus a couple extra for occasional to off. They do make 5W-50 for $8/qt but not available at Walmart. Being able to get it at wally world is the main convenience of it. Perhaps I can consider 5w-50 in the future
03-18-20, 09:38 AM
#80
For me, it is every 5K miles or every 6 months. Whichever comes first.
03-18-20, 02:29 PM
#81
The manual says every 10,000 miles unless the car is used in severe conditions, like driving off road or in a desert. I check the look of my oil every few thousand miles and it is still clean at 10,000 miles so it is a waste of resources to change it more often. As a Professional Engineer, I can not justify wasting resources when there is nothing to be gained technically. I know the dealers need to make money but they can find another way that does not wast natural resources.
03-18-20, 09:44 PM
#83
Pole Position
Other "severe" conditions include lots of stop-and-go driving, regular jack-rabbit starts, frequent short trips and/or exclusive around-town trips (without highway driving), moving a lot more drivers into this category.
03-19-20, 05:51 AM
#84
Lexus Fanatic
I told my wife a while back, hey, go easy on the car it's cold! She says, "But uncle Will says modern cars don't need to be warmed up." (master tech BMW in Munich)
I said he's right, but that doesn't mean you have jack rabbit starts like that, you go easy on it (that term shows age for sure). My dad taught me engine sympathy, which is about as common these days as a Gen Z staying off a FLA beach during coronavirus
03-19-20, 08:51 AM
#85
Surprised and a bit disheartened that such a mundane post has garnered 84 responses. Seriously, folks? Talk about a First-World Problem!
On the other hand maybe it's understandable given the current world situation and the stress of working from home for many of us. Stay healthy, everyone.
On the other hand maybe it's understandable given the current world situation and the stress of working from home for many of us. Stay healthy, everyone.
03-19-20, 08:57 AM
#86
drives cars
Surprised and a bit disheartened that such a mundane post has garnered 84 responses. Seriously, folks? Talk about a First-World Problem!
On the other hand maybe it's understandable given the current world situation and the stress of working from home for many of us. Stay healthy, everyone.
On the other hand maybe it's understandable given the current world situation and the stress of working from home for many of us. Stay healthy, everyone.
Also there are lots of misconceptions out there, particularly the lingering notion that 3,000 mile oil changes are still needed with modern vehicles... So I think revisiting this topic isn't entirely uncalled-for.
03-19-20, 09:18 AM
#87
Lexus Fanatic
Surprised and a bit disheartened that such a mundane post has garnered 84 responses. Seriously, folks? Talk about a First-World Problem!
On the other hand maybe it's understandable given the current world situation and the stress of working from home for many of us. Stay healthy, everyone.
On the other hand maybe it's understandable given the current world situation and the stress of working from home for many of us. Stay healthy, everyone.
03-19-20, 09:26 AM
#88
Lexus Fanatic
Here's the thing. No matter what you drive, it will need oil changes as long as it has a combustion engine. So, a lot of people have something to say about this.
Also there are lots of misconceptions out there, particularly the lingering notion that 3,000 mile oil changes are still needed with modern vehicles... So I think revisiting this topic isn't entirely uncalled-for.
Also there are lots of misconceptions out there, particularly the lingering notion that 3,000 mile oil changes are still needed with modern vehicles... So I think revisiting this topic isn't entirely uncalled-for.
03-19-20, 12:53 PM
#89
Pole Position
Are you criticizing the way my wife, and my buddy's wife, drive? lol
I told my wife a while back, hey, go easy on the car it's cold! She says, "But uncle Will says modern cars don't need to be warmed up." (master tech BMW in Munich)
I said he's right, but that doesn't mean you have jack rabbit starts like that, you go easy on it (that term shows age for sure). My dad taught me engine sympathy, which is about as common these days as a Gen Z staying off a FLA beach during coronavirus
I told my wife a while back, hey, go easy on the car it's cold! She says, "But uncle Will says modern cars don't need to be warmed up." (master tech BMW in Munich)
I said he's right, but that doesn't mean you have jack rabbit starts like that, you go easy on it (that term shows age for sure). My dad taught me engine sympathy, which is about as common these days as a Gen Z staying off a FLA beach during coronavirus