How many miles should I drive before I get an oil changed?

Question

I have a 1999 Audi A4 1.8 quattro turbo and the manual says 7500 miles but oil place says 3000.

Answer 1

3,000

Answer 2

Go with 7500 miles or 1 year, whichever comes 1st, the book tells you so! My friend in Germany she changes the oil 2 times a year. Some people there goes as much as 1 time a year.

In Germany, you are NOT allowed to change the oil at your house. Jiffy Lubes are none existent. So you have to bring your car to the dealer for an oil change. Is a very government / environment control situation. An oil change is over $120 a pop. Now, run in the Autobahn over the recommended speed of 80 about MPH or 130 KPH and if you get lucky and traffic permits you can exceed over 150 MPH. Those engines are really tough and with the Synthetic oils are made to go as far as 15,000 without an oil change. You can stretch it to 10,000 miles, if you want to.

We use Synthetic oils on Aircraft Turbine Engines and on some areas they exceed 600 C, the oils is tough enough to stand that temp. I tore down some engines and sure they are clean as a whistle. The oils are not changed as frequently as is advertised on the TV for cars.

The 3,000 miles is an Urban Legend to keep the costumers coming more often. Is a carry over from the old days... like in the early 60s and back. When cars did not had oil filters, that was an add on feature. Oils were petroleum base, really crappy and Single Grade. And 3,000 miles back then was a lot of mileages. Since people did not drove as far as we do today. Is a good business to tell people to consume more than they need to, by placing fear in their minds.

On some adds they burn oil on frying pan. Duh! That is over the Temp that your car will be going. The internal temp is about 200F not to the point that will cook the oil like a frying pan, that is about 450F and up. The exhaust valve is the hottest component in the entire engine! If you run that temp in you car, if you can, that engine is toast! That was a nice campaign gimmick!

Answer 3

It depends on a few things, one being if you use synthetic oil or not.

Synthetic oil gets changed less, also different cars require different things.

For example my Camry oil needs to be changed every 5,000 km and my Mercedes every 18,000km. The Mercedes uses synthetic oil and the engine runs much cleaner.

Check your owners manual it will tell you what your car needs. The Audi is a high end vehicle so it may be closer to what a Mercedes is like with respect to the oil change. It probably also has an idiot light that flashes on when the oil needs changing. It will all be in your owners manual.

Answer 4

well the best practice for the 1.8T is every 5000 miles. these engine have an engine sludge problem so you NEED to use ONLY synthetic oil. if you do not use synthetic oil even if you change your oil every 3000 miles your car will NOT last. the turbos superheat the oil and cause it to sludge which will ruin your engine. If your oil place told you 3000 miles they probably didnt use synthetic oil. if they used regular oil do not leave it in for even 3000 miles i would change it at about 1000 to 1500 miles and then switch to synthetic.
i would go with pentosin or redline oil and i would get 5w-40 for normal driving or 10w-40 if you drive hard (spirited). if you dont want to order online you can get mobile one oil.

Answer 5

ALL THESE ANSWERS ARE COMMON STUPID POPULAR BELIEF!!

Park your car on a FLAT surface. Leave the engine OFF for like an hour or so (you can do this in the morning before you leave for work) and check your OIL stick! It's the round ring under the HOOD. Take it out, wipe it clean with a PAPER TOWEL (be careful, oil stains), and see the OIL LEVEL.

The oil stick should have 2 indicators (Max and Min) marked by a groove on the stick. Oil should be somewhere between those two markers. The color of oil should be yellow-ish and rather clear, with a rather thick consistency!

IF oil is lower than the LOWER MARK on the STICK you MUST ADD OIL to your car ASAP! (Make sure it's the SAME OIL)Take it to a OIL changing place ASAP. If oil is BLACK do the same ASAP.

If OIL is between those two markers and you haven;t changed it in like 3k miles CHANGE IT !

If it's between those two marks and you have less than that you can just wait

HOPE THAT HELPS )

Answer 6

If you are using conventional oil you can go 7500 miles but only if you are the Granny type driver, and most of your miles are highway miles. If you drive in the city or in the heat you want to replace it every 3000. I personally recommend full synthetic Penzoil, you could in theory go 15000 miles if you drive like a granny, or 5000 if you drive normally. I drive my Mercury like a race car and use synthetic and the engine is still as powerful as it was off the lot.

Answer 7

the oil change places use that guide line as a minimum ....certain manufactures have much longer intervals considering perfect conditions,warmer weather flat roads no loads, high quality oils used....audi a4 engines are hard working engines for the size of car,be kind to them and in this case use the synthetic 5 40 oil thats usually recommended.....its never that oil looses its lubrication qualities,the additives that make a 5 weight oil turn into a 40 weight oil when heat is applied become depleted..take care

Answer 8

You need to change it at 3000 miles. Some oils say it will go 5000 or 7500. Your engine will last longer and run better if changed at 3000.

Answer 9

Oil changes should reflect on how you drive,what type of oil(conventional vs synthetic) and what kind of traffic you drive in. If you drive...

7500 mile oil change:
-Synthetic Oil
-Slow driving
-mainly flat surfaces
-No hard accelerations
-No stop and go traffic
-No heavy loads/cargo/passengers
-No extreme weather and weather changes

5000 mile oil changes:
-Synthetic Oil
-Slow driving
-Slight stop and go traffic
-Moderate weather
-Light cargo

3000 mile oil changes:
-Synthetic Oil/Conventional Oils
-Speeding
-Hard accelerations/Decelerations
-Stop and go traffic
-Heavy loads
-Extreme weather(super cold, super hot, both)
-Hills

One more thing, it also depends on the brand you select. Mobile1 is a thinner synthetic oil, and tends to break down around 4000 miles, so if you were to use this brand, I'd recommend changing your oil around 3000-5000 miles. German made Castrol Synthec is great and lasts around 5000-6000. Don't get confused by the US Castrol and the German stuff. Look on the back, it should say made in Germany. Get that stuff. Redline products are great as well but pricey.

Answer 10

You can go 7500 miles between oil changes if you use synthetic oil, and drive under absolutely ideal conditions. If you drive on hills, on dirt, in stop and go traffic, or if you ever drive your car hard, you need change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Answer 11

There is a TSB (technical service bullentin) out that says to use synthetic motor oil and the newer filter. It's crucial to follow this TSB because with the older filter and conventional oil, the oil pumps were failing. (Costly repair.)

If you tend to take your car to the spiffy lube places, bring your own Audi oil filter to make sure it's the right one (part no. 068 115 561B, about $9) and make sure you request synthetic oil.