my oil change sticker says my next change is due in less than 3k miles?

Question

I just had it changed with full synthetic oil, shouldn't it be more than 3k and not less than that? I thought that's what I bought the synthetic for?

my vehicle is a brand new ford f150 and has had all maintanance done on time and has had synthetic oil at every change. This was the 1st time I had it changed at a place other than the dealership, the dealership did the changes free and scheduled them for every 5k miles. I moved away from the dealership and had to get the oil changed elsewhere. thanks everyone

Answer 1

Unless you are stuck in traffic all day, synthetics greatly enhances the life. I like 10 to 12 thousand miles. I do monitor it's color and smell. Burnt, coffee-like texture means you waited way too long. I had a '92 Toyota truck that I ran for 368,000 miles. I sold it, in perfect running condition ( it was a V-6 ). The poor thing would go as long as 30,000 miles between oil changes, it just didn't seem to matter. I think every 3000 miles is rediculous, wasteful, and only serves to line someone elses pocket. But that's just me.

Answer 2

The synthetic oil is supposed to hold up longer than 3000 miles. I usually run my regular oil about 4000 miles between changes. Newer design cars burn fuel cleaner, so there are typically fewer carbon deposits (which go into the oil and cause damage whether using synthetic or standard oil). Look at the oil when it gets to the appointed time. Make sure that it is still up to the safe mark on the dipstick. Pay attention to the color - if it is dark, it needs to be changed. Synthetic oil generally will withstand the higher temperatures longer than conventional oil, so, by all indications, it should go longer (but there are no guarantees). I personally am not a proponent of synthetic oil, but then I change mine every 4000 miles. Just keep a level head and watch the color, condition, and level.

Answer 3

It is all a matter of how exactly you drive the car. Loosely speaking the condition of your oil deteriorates more if the following conditions occur frequently:
* frequent starting of the vehicle from cold.
* Extremes of ambient temperature i.e. above 120F or below 20F outside.
* frequent idling whilst the car isn't moving.
* incorrect temperatures inside the car engine (too high or too low)
* labouring the engine (hard acceleration whilst in low gear)
* very high engine speeds
* contamination from water or fuel.

If the engine and associated systems is well maintained then alot of these issues will not be a problem. So the biggest influence will be driving style.

If you change your oil within 3000 miles then that is absolutely foolproof and your oil won't be in bad condition. Although it is possible to go longer. Also if your car is under warranty it may be necessary to change it at 3000 to comply with the conditions.

Answer 4

Well they may not have been paying attention to the mileage. Since the norm is 3K miles they just put that...and if it was s little over when you brought it back they may have one with the miles that were last put in the computer and then added 3k to that. MAke sure they do it from current miles. You know how some places get so busy that they just put anything.

Answer 5

it truly is often counseled that your engine oil get replaced each and every the form of enormous quantity of miles or each and every the form of enormous quantity of months. the idea being that folk who do not stress very a tactics on a on a daily basis foundation receives their oil replaced at time-honored periods to get rid of the pollution that receive contained in the oil consequently short drives. On shorter drives the engine would not upward push as a lot as operating temperature for a lengthy sufficient era of time to burn off most of the contaminants that get into the oil. My wager is that your sticky label is telling you that your oil needs to get replaced by using a particular date notwithstanding you haven't reached the three to 4 thousand mile mark. once you've finished a good many short drives over a era of three to 4 months it would not be a foul idea to bypass ahead and spend the $25.00 and performance the oil replaced. notwithstanding, yet another thousand miles or so gained't truly create a difficulty as long as you save close music of your oil factor.

Answer 6

Check your oil at 3K miles, check the color, change the oil when it gets to be brown, before it gets black..... synthetic oil should last past 3k miles befroe it needs to be changed.

Answer 7

It depends on the state of your car. If it is an older model you do need to change more often. Though 3k is a bit soon even for an old timer .

Answer 8

Most are between every 3 to 5,000 miles. You can go a little longer than 3,000 miles, but always make sure the oil is not black, because that means its dirty.

Answer 9

If you use a good quality oil the scheduled maintenance should remain the same.

Although if you are really concerned about your vehicle, take a look at this new product just making the scene...

www.lyle.bitronglobal.com , let me know what you think.
(I use the product)

Answer 10

In order for your car to go farther you gotta have the oil changed on the exact notice giving or a little before for best results.