I know, every 3000 miles...
However, is it possible to take some oil out with the dipstick and "inspect" it? What should I look for?
2007-03-09 07:58:59 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
3000 miles OR three months. If it's been longer or further than that, why take a chance? You may just ruin your engine; don't be cheap - it's only about $ 30 to have your oil and filter changed. The extra insurance of knowing you're taking care of your car may keep you from being stranded somewhere with a burnt out engine!
Just by looking at the oil on the dipstick is no indication of how the oil is performing. It may look clean, but it may also have lost some of its viscosity. By the same token, dirty oil may be a normal sign that the oil is doing its job. Don't take a chance - it's not worth the added expense of a new engine or a new car!
2007-03-09 08:07:31 · answer #1 · answered by Kiffin # 1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saying you need to change your oil ever 3000 miles is like saying oil has not changed since that rule was invented. It's just not true.
If the car is new, go by what it says in the book as far as intervals. It's probably far more than 3000 miles...most modern cars are more like 7500 miles.
Motor oil never wears out. It's the additives IN the oil that get burned away. The additives are what make the normally black oil kind of caramel colored. The gaskets and bushings and other rubber pieces in your engine NEED those additives to survive the heat your engine produces.
Theoretically you should be able to tell by the darkness of the oil. If it's substantially darker then it was when it was new, that means most of the additives are burnt out of it and you need to change your oil. But by this point the seals and gaskets have already been starved for a while, which is not good. Also, using the dipstick as an indicator only tells you what the oil in the crankcase looks like, NOT the whole engine and oil pan.
That being said, if the oil is still very obviously light brown, it's PROBABLY still doing its job.
2007-03-09 08:08:04 · answer #2 · answered by Ferret 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look in your owner's manual. It should tell you the mileage or time they recommend to replace the oil. It is helpful to have records of your oil changes if they weren't done at the dealers and the car is under warranty.
2007-03-09 09:00:54 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also, change your oil every 7000 - 10,000 miles. The way oil is formulated these days, the molecular length of the oil string is more consistent and you don't need to change your oil until 10,000 miles on most vehicles.
2007-03-09 08:08:03 · answer #4 · answered by Pete S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Put a drop of your oil on a white piece of paper. If its bad, you should see it black and you wont be able to see the paper through the oil.
This test does not apply to diesel engines
2007-03-09 08:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by Tom C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋