I have a new car and i don't drive it that much b/c i live close to my work, school, and grocery shops. so i drive about 2000 miles every 4 months or so. should i do oil change every 3 months or should i wait for it to hit the 3000 mile mark?
2007-12-17 22:45:33 · 11 answers · asked by damnedweight 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Time has nothing to do with it. If the engine doesn't run the oil doesn't get harmed. Do not worry about the months, concern yourself with the mileage. Oil does not change on it's own or go "bad" with time. The only reason we have to change it is because of contaminants in the oil, which consist of gasoline, water from condensation, and break down of mineral within the engine components. Some car collectors who only drive their cars 2K miles a year only change the oil every 2 years and it is completely safe.
My recommendation would be to switch to a good group IV synthetic and change it about every 5-7K miles. Mobil 1 or Penn Platinum is best. What others have said about the condensation build up is true so you should take it on a highway and get it up to temp occasionally to reduce the effects of that.
2007-12-18 00:32:05 · answer #1 · answered by Lou 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best place for your answer would be the owner's manual. Another good place would be your dealer's service department. Your car being new, you have a warranty. If they offer oil changes for free for a certain period of time, (some dealer's do) take advantage of them. Let them know of your driving habits as you said above, they will give good recommendations. Please, do not wait till the 7,500 mile mark as the previous poster stated. That many miles on the first oil change is way too much. I can tell you that no more than you drive, you will have a slight buildup of condensation because the oil doesn't get hot enough to get rid of it.
2007-12-17 22:57:13 · answer #2 · answered by bobby 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No. Modern car engines are designed to go farther between oil changes. If your car is newer, you don't want to do anything that might void your warranty. Do what the manufacturer recommends in the owner's manual. If it says 3 months/3,000 miles - it's okay to wait for the 3,000 miles.
2007-12-18 04:15:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like if you keep an eye on the Oil Level and Condition you Could Do it Every 6 Months but no longer. If it's close to the 6 and you're going to take a trip Change Oil & Filter The Day Before you Leave.
NOTE; Stay With the Mantence in the "Owner's Manuel"
2007-12-17 23:37:38 · answer #4 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Every 3 months for sure. The type of driving you describe is MURDER on an engine and drivetrain. Every three months, half way between oil changes, take it out on the highway/motorway and drive a hundred miles straight at speed (posted speed limit) to get everything up to temperature.
2007-12-17 23:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by Nigel M 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i always change my oil at 3000 miles unless i am driving in stop and go traffic where it is harder on the engine. With synthetic oil you could run 5000 miles then just change the filter add oil to just full mark, at 10,000 miles I would change oil and filter. This is based on driving conditions ans full synthetic oil.
2016-05-24 21:19:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
oil change on a low mileage car not 3 months on most new cars
the first oil change at 3 months and 6 months and then a year or so when my car go in for it m o t i do a oil change you dont have to change the oil after 3 months you have not put any mileage on the clock
2007-12-17 23:25:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If your car never reaches its normal operationg temperature (or not often) when you do drive it, then I would change it more often. Condensation will build up, and when the motor doesn't reach normal temp, it could build up in the oil.
When you do drive it, and you drive it for a long distance, or for the whole day around town or something, just wait longer...
2007-12-17 22:52:16 · answer #8 · answered by boogie_4wheel 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
short trips do not allow the oil to really get hot and clean your engine ,,sludge builds up,,,short trips especially when its not highway where the engine runs at higher rpms,,,really kill an engine
2007-12-18 01:10:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd say about every 7,500 miles.... but your car is new... i would speak w/ a dealer, who knew more... but watch out for those snakes... they like to slither money from your pockets to theirs. first off, you don't drive much, and second, if checking your oil is still see-through able, you should be ok. it may get low, just put more in... but when it starts to get mucky, or is close to 7,500 miles, i would get it serviced. i'm no car mechanic....
2007-12-17 22:52:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋