How often to change oil

[ETay87]

I know it depends on car model but I generally change my oil every 6000 miles with Triple R 5w30.
Have found it much better now that I'm not replacing it every 3000 miles!

What does anyone else think?

[trickywoo]

Fully synthetic oils are good for many miles. I'm happy changing around the 9K miles mark but would change annually for fewer miles.

For a forced induction or high state of tune engine I'd change more frequently.

[ch427]

I try to aim for 6000 miles too.

[stevieturbo]

Depends how the engine is used.

[supermono]

My 207 1.6HDi I bought new had Mobil 1 at 6k (elective first change) then 12,24,36,48 etc. driven very hard on motorways mostly and sold at 130k used no oil, still did 120mph flat out and sounded sweet as a nut. 6k seems like a waste to me. Just stick to schedule.

SM

[ch427]

I suppose it depends on how fussy you are, who does the work and how much you pay for your oil too. i can generally change my own oil and filter on most run of the mill stuff for under £20 and that is buying a half decent branded oil.

[anonymous-user]

With modern engines , oil, and crucially EMS systems, changing the oil often is pretty pointless!

Oil engines you needed to for the following reasons:

1) cold starts on carbs, and general poor fuel mixture control would lead to a lot of oil contamination with fuel
2) Non syth oils broke down at much lower temps and pressures
3) Old engines used "low precision" lubrication, that relied on a large volume flow rate to ensure film thickness, modern engines move a lot less oil around.


Most modern cars have move to a "condition" based oil change scehdule, which only actually changes the oil when necessary, rather than at any particular mileage.

Of course, if you track or race your car, or do lots of cold, short journeys, there may be some advantage to earlier changes (although again, most modern cars will automatically request more frequent changes in this case.

Modern oils can run at temps of approx 150degC bulk, without excessive break down of their molecular chains, so even track useage isn't really the issue it used to be.

Having said all that, if you have an expensive track car or classic, spending say £50 every 6kmiles is probably a sensible investment, and a small proportion of your running costs i reality for piece of mind ;-)

[inman999]

Every 5k here. Currently using Shell helix Ultra.

Probably overkill but 5000 miles is still a bloody long way so I don't feel £25 a pop is a waste.

Car is approaching 250000 miles and running well.

[DJP]

trickywoo said:

Fully synthetic oils are good for many miles. I'm happy changing around the 9K miles mark but would change annually for fewer miles...

This^^.

I only do about 6k per year so I use semi-synth and change annually.

If I did more miles I'd go full synth and change every 10k.

I'm not sure I'd run any oil beyond 10k miles though. Oil's cheap and engines aren't.

[Robert Elise]

my cars get serviced every 1 - 2+ years depending on use/value.
but i siphon the oil in between with one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpin-72539-Change-Suction...

real easy, keeps oil fresh. Filter only ever goes above 10k on the BMW, as that CBS believes 15k between oil changes is ok.

[chevy-stu]

Diesel Transit - every 10k
Deisel BMW - every 8k
petrol Camaro - every 3k
petrol Celica - every 8k

transit does mostly motorway so biggest miles per change. 530d and Celica do mixed town/motorway so bit more often. Camaro does mixed plus odd track day so quite often.

[thatdude]

Have currently been doing 6000 miles, but oil is still looking alright at that point (have not had it analysed but its not black as black, still a little golden). Will extend out to 8000 miles. Modern fully synthetics are very good, and coupled with modern injection systems that meter fuel presicly as its needed, oil drain intervals are longer than ever.

motorcycle is 4000 miles and by then it is quite groggy (carbs and running a bit rich!)

[williredale]

Both my cars get their oil changed every six months. Done by garage when they have annual services and by me in between.
Volvo T5 engine does about 10K a year and MGB B series does about 3K a year but oil is cheap enough for both and I do it as part of a quick service.

[Heaveho]

Ford Connect and Mitsi Evo, both turbo'd, hence both done at no more than 5k with correct grade fully synth. The Evo is scheduled to be done every 4.5k, usually is. It's never used for short trips, so the oil, in that respect, has an easier life. The van probably has a harder life, given all the cold start, short trips, and revs on the motorway before the oils properly hot. Whoever thought it was a good idea to specify 15k service intervals under those conditions wants their head read.

[C Lee Farquar]

My father never bothers and hardly ever has problems. Currently has an ex police v6 Mondeo that he's had from three years old, about 9 years and still going strong. He must have done 100k in it.

[Krikkit]

For me it's either a) when it gets dirty, or b) every year(ish), whichever comes first. For synth engines of course.