[Villages PL]

I bought a new car on march 30 of last year and have only put on 2300 miles so far. I have an appointment to get an oil change tomorrow because they are offering a free oil change (up to 39.85) for my April birth month.

But I can't seem to get a straight answer as to how long I can go between oil changes. When I bought the car they told me it had synthetic oil in it. So they told me to wait 'til I get 3,000 miles on it. Now one person told me I shouldn't go any longer than 12 months and another said 6 months.

I would think synthetic oil would last at least 12 months, and regular oil 6 months.

Synthetic oil change costs $64.00 and regular oil change costs 37.00 . Would I be better off to get the synthetic and just get one oil change per year? Or is it better to go in twice a year so they will check things over more often.

[ajbrown]

I AM NO EXPERT........ but it seems to me the marketing companies have done a pretty good job here. Will be interested to hear different opinions from folks with more expertise.

I have two cars, one has 125000 (4 door sedan) and one has 180000 (SUV) miles. Both run great.

I use regular oil and get it changed every 6000 miles and usually for less than $30.

I am no expert, just sharing my experience.

PS. Posting this makes me realize I will need a new car soon.....

[Harry Gilbert]

Your owners manual will give you the recommended mileage between oil changes and I will bet its more than 3000 miles. Synthetic vs Dino oil is a oft argued subject. If it were mine I'd go for a quality Dino over the synthetic

But you need to change the oil once per year regardless if you have met the miles or not. Water, fuel and other contaminates will be in that oil.

And at least once a month to take it out for a good 30 mile plus ride, That will heat the engine enough to burn off the water condensation in the crankcase and exhaust.

[gomoho]

Follow your owner's manual or your warranty will be void, useless, not worth the paper it is written on, etc.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Follow your owner's manual or your warranty will be void, useless, not worth the paper it is written on, etc.

The problem with the owners manual is that it says every 6 months but doesn't say for what kind of oil.

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

The problem with the owners manual is that it says every 6 months but doesn't say for what kind of oil.

The oil filler cap under the hood should say what type/weight oil should be used. Chances are if it 0W-(something) or 5W-(something), it requires synthetic.

[memason]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Follow your owner's manual or your warranty will be void, useless, not worth the paper it is written on, etc.

I'm pretty sure this statement is totally false...

You are not required to have your new vehicle serviced at the dealer...that is your choice. Oil change intervals are "recommendations" by the manufacturer.

If you have questions, you should contact your dealer; especially if this is a new car.

[Rickg]

It depends on your vehicle and if it has a computer oil change warning. I have had corvettes and currently a high performance vehicle that uses synthetic also. I go by the computer and have never had a problem

[Challenger]

The average recommended interval by manufacturers on new cars is about 7800 miles. The 3000 mile requirement is a myth largely promolgated by service depts and quick lubes to get you in for a service interval. Go to Edmonds. com or google " oil change intervals" . We waste millons of barrels of oil and spend millons of dollars uselessly every year on needless changes. We also create a huge environmental problem.

[paulandjean]

Originally Posted by memason

I'm pretty sure this statement is totally false...

You are not required to have your new vehicle serviced at the dealer...that is your choice. Oil change intervals are "recommendations" by the manufacturer.

If you have questions, you should contact your dealer; especially if this is a new car.

Agree with you on this one. 3000 to 6000 for a oil change. You do not have to use your dealer. Oil change every year for sure,even with that few miles.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Agree with you on this one. 3000 to 6000 for a oil change. You do not have to use your dealer. Oil change every year for sure,even with that few miles.

Never said you had to use the dealer for oil changes, but if you don't follow the manufactures recommendation and you have an issue they can certainly question why you didn't follow their recommendation and I for one am not nterested in testing this theory.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert

........ But you need to change the oil once per year regardless if you have met the miles or not. Water, fuel and other contaminates will be in that oil. ........

Ditto.

Bill

[Bobcuse]

I have a 2012 Lexus and they switched from 6000 mile intervals for oil changes to 10,000 mile intervals and use synthetic oil.

[paulandjean]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Never said you had to use the dealer for oil changes, but if you don't follow the manufactures recommendation and you have an issue they can certainly question why you didn't follow their recommendation and I for one am not nterested in testing this theory.

And I never said you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tag460]

I would call you dealer, how often do I have to have my oil change to maintain the warranty and what type of oil should I use.