| cycler15 |
| I currently drive 20k miles per year (mainly highway miles). I was getting an oil change every 5k miles (about every 3 months). I will be starting a new job soon that is closer to my house and will be driving around 6-7k miles per year (mainly city driving). Can I still continue with getting an oil change every 5k miles (about every 9-10 months). Or is that too long and since now it's mainly city driving I should be on a time schedule and not miles? |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by cycler15
I currently drive 20k miles per year (mainly highway miles). I was getting an oil change every 5k miles (about every 3 months). I will be starting a new job soon that is closer to my house and will be driving around 6-7k miles per year (mainly city driving). Can I still continue with getting an oil change every 5k miles (about every 9-10 months). Or is that too long and since now it's mainly city driving I should be on a time schedule and not miles?
That's a bit long IMO. More time for condensation to form in your oil.
Now, you are getting more into the nature of your driving. If your engine gets fully warmed up during commutes, etc. (even if short) you could probably go with changes every 4 or 5 months.. Considering your location, and mild winters, and being conservative about it, every 4 months would probably be more than what's needed. I would not worry about mileage at this point.
The old hardliners would say change it every 3 months, do or die. I don't think that's necessary with modern oils. |
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| G. COLTON |
I wouldn't worry about it. Run synthetic oil and change based on miles. Your big concern will be if you run the vehicle suficiently long each time you start it. You should run a vehicle until the engine is at full operating temperature. My wife does not drive her Buick for long distances anymore. I now find myself changing her oil once per year. It is a 1996 Roadmaster with 84,000 miles. I have been trying to get her to buy a new Caillac STS but she just likes her Buick.
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
That's a bit long IMO. More time for condensation to form in your oil.
Now, you are getting more into the nature of your driving. If your engine gets fully warmed up during commutes, etc. (even if short) you could probably go with changes every 4 or 5 months..
That sums it up for me. There's nothing worse for a car than short trips. |
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| cycler15 |
| It's a 10 mile commute each way... but because it's all city... will probably take me 30-40 min so the engine will definitely get up to temperature. |
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| Dog |
| I have a similar question. My MDX is three months old but only has 1,200 miles on it. For the first change, should I wait until 3,000 miles, even though that may not be for nine months? My driving is a mix of stop and go city driving and highway driving. |
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