how do we "really" tell when we need an oil change?
Originally Posted by negotiator
When my mileage on my odo matches the mileage posted on my sticker, I drive up to the shop, hand someone the keys and say "Full synthetic." *shrugs* That's how I can tell! =)
Nice avatar, BTW.
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Its very easy to tell if you need an oil change, or not. It depends how you drive your car? If you drive highway a lot, you can skip past 3K miles, but if you drive city a lot that does a lot of stop and go, I change it every 3K miles. Oil change at 3K miles is a myth that dealership and oil company can make more money. Our new Lexus car now does oil changes at 5K miles, its in the maintenance book. My bro (actually my friend) bought a new '06 4Runner V8 which is the same engine as the Lexus SUV (Land Cruiser style), his Toyota manual says 3K, the Lexus says 5K. When I had a MR2, I drive to school a lot which is mostly highway, I followed the 3K miles interval oil change. I realized that after many of oil changes that I didn't need to change it at 3K, the oil was clear brown when I changed it. My cuz, a mechanic joked to me that I was changing from new oil to brand new oil. If you drive your car like its stolen, I changed oil more frequently.
I agree with the above. If you drive conservatively and a lot of highway miles, 5k should be fine. I do mine every 3k because I drive my car pretty hard and I like knowing my oil is clean. Go grab 5 quarts of oil and a new filter, then get to work...its a pretty easy job. Lately I have found that my car is consuming oil though, only 3 quarts or so is coming out...not really sure why. Should I be worried?
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3k is always safe, I go 5k highway on Amsoil.
Not to sound like some Zen car guy, but smell it and rub it between your fingers as well. All the unburnt fuel, carbon, acidity from combustion, will destroy your oil. Sometimes I change the oil a little early if it see it is really dark thin.
PS. antifreeze in oil smells sweet, and excess fuel smells like (drumroll) fuel.
Not to sound like some Zen car guy, but smell it and rub it between your fingers as well. All the unburnt fuel, carbon, acidity from combustion, will destroy your oil. Sometimes I change the oil a little early if it see it is really dark thin.
PS. antifreeze in oil smells sweet, and excess fuel smells like (drumroll) fuel.
Food for thought: The oil service on a new Mercedes Benz c230 Sport Coupe calls for a full synthetic oil change every 10k miles. For those who don't know, that car has a (albeit weak) super charger on it.
Point of this is, full synthetic lasts a long time. I change my Mobil 1 every 5k miles.
Point of this is, full synthetic lasts a long time. I change my Mobil 1 every 5k miles.
I always thought that you change every 3,000 miles because of the filter not the oil. I believe regular oil can last longer than 3,000 miles, but the filter may not.
correct me if I'm wrong.
correct me if I'm wrong.
What happens inside the filter exactly that it needs to be changed after 3k miles?
Like if you were to take it apart after 3k miles, how does it differ between a new oil filter? Is it all clogged up or something?
Like if you were to take it apart after 3k miles, how does it differ between a new oil filter? Is it all clogged up or something?
Originally Posted by Miko
What happens inside the filter exactly that it needs to be changed after 3k miles?
Like if you were to take it apart after 3k miles, how does it differ between a new oil filter? Is it all clogged up or something?
Like if you were to take it apart after 3k miles, how does it differ between a new oil filter? Is it all clogged up or something?
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synthetics should last over 10k miles.... personally i wouldn't wait that long. Some auto manufacturers would recommend 10k or more miles before oil changes cuz they are paying for it within warranty. i wouldn't mention which car cuz every car enthusiast knows which car i'm referring to.
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by MustGoFastR
Here's a tip on reading the dipstick. Remove it, wipe it clean, then set it asside for about 15 min. This allows the oil in the dip stick tube that screws up your reading to drain back into the pan. Re-insert the dipstick and pull it back out for a reading. I've been doing this a long time and it gives e acurate readings every time.
As for changing the oil, if you've got 4k miles on the oil, you need to change it if it's reg dino-oil (should be done every 3k). If you are on full synthetic, like I am, every 5k miles is good. I had my oil analyzed at Blackstone Labs (look them up in the web) after 5k miles and they said I could go further on it, prob 6-7.5k easy, but 5k changes keep it simple for me to remember when to do it.
As for the title of the thread, the level of oil in the engine or reading on the dipstick has nothng to do with when the oil needs changed. Either go by the manual or have the oil tested to determine how long you can use oil in your particular engine.
As for changing the oil, if you've got 4k miles on the oil, you need to change it if it's reg dino-oil (should be done every 3k). If you are on full synthetic, like I am, every 5k miles is good. I had my oil analyzed at Blackstone Labs (look them up in the web) after 5k miles and they said I could go further on it, prob 6-7.5k easy, but 5k changes keep it simple for me to remember when to do it.
As for the title of the thread, the level of oil in the engine or reading on the dipstick has nothng to do with when the oil needs changed. Either go by the manual or have the oil tested to determine how long you can use oil in your particular engine.
Thank you . . . thank you very much!
Roast and taurran are quite right in their assessments of the dipstick, too.
And thank you Tenac1ous for your illustration. To which I would add that if you can see oil anywhere higher than the lower "bump" in the dipstick (anywhere between the two "bumps") there is enough oil in the engine.
I find this very difficult to do. When I check my oil level, I allow the oil to drain as long as possible, even an hour or more. In my case, it seems that the more quickly and smoothly I insert and withdraw the dipstick, the easier it is for me to see the oil level on the stick. Maybe it just takes lots of practice, but I never had this problem with my old Mustang.
Doers anyone know why Nissan has those "bumps" on the dipstick? It would seem better to just use a straight piece of steel.
Joe
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