I waited 1 full year to get an oil change, is that bad?

Question

We bought the car in January and I just now got it's first oil change. I'm afraid to tell my husband. The oil change people said the old oil looked good, it wasn't dirty. Should I be worried? Should I tell my hubby, or just forget about it?

I put 9000 miles on the car before I got the oil changed today.

Answer 1

I change oil every 10,000 km or ~ 6,000 miles for my Mercedes and 15,000 km or ~ 10,000 miles for my VW. Both cars after 11 and 10 years of services their engines still perform like new engines. Please note, I use Mobil1 or Ultron fully synthetic oil.

I also used to change every 5,000 km or 3,000 miles by using premium multigrade non-syn oil for my Nissan and Honda cars and found out that after 200,000 km and 3+/- years of services their engines were in a very good condition (compression test).

Answer 2

Depending on the vehicle oil changes are by mileage and time driven.

Some cars will have synthetic oil that can be changed every 25,000 - 50,000 miles. If this is a new car check the owners manual. Newer cars can go 7500 miles depending on make and model before oil changes.

Also the area you live in (mountain roads with lots of hills, towing a boat, lots of start and stop driving in a city) all effect oil life.

Older cars the standard was 3 months or 3000 miles which ever comes first.

I would have the oil changed much sooner next time!

Your husband might not take that news too well if you told him, especially if it's a new car.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Answer 3

Save yourself the grief, keep it to yourself. There is nothing to do now, except to realize that you are now officially another female who for some reason can not perfrom basic maintenance on a car. I doubt is caused any problems. Check your manual or dealer. As a side note, most newer cars have oil change intervals 5- 7.5k miles.
Set up a maintenance schedule and share it with your husband. You can then look at the costs and be more prepared. Why be surprised, you know you need to spend $X. Are your tires 80% worn then expect $x of tire expense in the next 6-12 months. How are the brakes, get a free estimate. They will tell you.... these brakes will last X more miles. Check air filter, cabin filter, belts, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, fuel filter. Again read the manual to get more info.

Answer 4

All cars will burn or otherwise loose oil to a some extent and running a car that is low on oil is not good. It can cause damage to the cylindars which can reduce compression. If it is really low, it can caue the engine to seize, then you have a rock on wheels.

As long as there was enough oil, and the oil was in good shape, and you did not rag the car out, it should be ok. I tend to go 5000 miles between oil changes.

Answer 5

if it was not dirty or low do not worry. generally it is best to change oil on a milage change (for me it is every 2000 miles) or a fixed time if the climate shifts fast in your area. temp up/down dusty/rainy etc. Syntnic oils can be changed as little as 15000 miles.
older engines need it sooner, even if oil is "good" dirty oil will rub and cause problems.

Answer 6

well how many miles did you have on that oil if it more then 3000 it can be very bad because the oil breaks done from the heat and can harm the engine
a good rule is to change it every 3mon or 3000 miles what ever comes 1st
I would tell him

Answer 7

Forget about it but never ever do it again!! Also change it a bit early this time, the fresh oil has fresh detergents which may break loose sludge that built up over a year and quickly contaminate the new oil.

Answer 8

If you put more than 3000 miles on the car then it's bad.Next time you shouldn't go to the same shop to get your oil changed because they don't know anything about good or bad oil.It's up to you to let your hubby know about it.

Answer 9

I believe oil changes go by how many miles you've driven, not by time. So if they said it looks ok and everything I'm sure it was. Maybe check in the upper right hand corner of you windshild, often they post a little note that says, Next oil change is due at XXXXX miles.

Answer 10

You know since your so smart, you should have just left the oil in the car....... that way when you sell it back, you can tell them its "ALL ORIGINGAL" right down to the oil you bought it with.

You people can not be this dumb....