I have a 2005 Chevy Classic (Malibu), The oil change was due on June 10th. I JUST passed the mileage last week however (3,000 miles). I checked and the oil isn't low. I don't redline it ever, I just use it for occasionally driving around town. Most of the 3000 miles came in early summer when I would drive to the beach. Since then I drive it every few days, and then only for a couple miles per whack. Should I get the oil changed soon anyway?
How often do you really need to change your oil?
- Thread starter DomS
- Start date
LTC8K6
Lifer
- Mar 10, 2004
- 28,520
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You are one of the few who should change it more often.
Every few days, only a couple miles each time, is bad for the oil and the engine.
That's why they have months as well as miles for oil changes.
Always drive it until the engine and transmission are fully warmed up. You need to get the fluids hot enough to get rid of any condensation that forms.
Warm it up in town and then make a nice highway run for a few miles.
Every few days, only a couple miles each time, is bad for the oil and the engine.
That's why they have months as well as miles for oil changes.
Always drive it until the engine and transmission are fully warmed up. You need to get the fluids hot enough to get rid of any condensation that forms.
Warm it up in town and then make a nice highway run for a few miles.
T2urtle
Diamond Member
- Oct 18, 2004
- 3,432
- 3
- 81
your oil level should NEVER be low. if its low you have a problem.
short trips, pretty much "city driving" should require a more often oil change. versus longer " highway trips" because it gives the oil a chance to warm up and etc. compared to city driving where your going 2 blocks shut off the car and go back.
most oils are now rated for 5k-20k, in most cases the 3 month rule should be in plan i guess. its only $20-50 pending on where and what oils.
the general rule used to be 3k/3 months. i guess now they designed oil better or something most dealerships do a 3750 mile/ 3 month on normal oil and 5k-3month on syn. now i personally believe they lower it to get you back into the dealership to make more money off you.
i personally do a 3month rule regardless of miles. more or less pending weather, since i do my own oil changes, i try to get one in before winter hits and get one when it starts to warm up. but if you pay people to do it, just stick with a 3 month type deal or if you want 3k. i dont see any harm in either method, more of a personal thing.
short trips, pretty much "city driving" should require a more often oil change. versus longer " highway trips" because it gives the oil a chance to warm up and etc. compared to city driving where your going 2 blocks shut off the car and go back.
most oils are now rated for 5k-20k, in most cases the 3 month rule should be in plan i guess. its only $20-50 pending on where and what oils.
the general rule used to be 3k/3 months. i guess now they designed oil better or something most dealerships do a 3750 mile/ 3 month on normal oil and 5k-3month on syn. now i personally believe they lower it to get you back into the dealership to make more money off you.
i personally do a 3month rule regardless of miles. more or less pending weather, since i do my own oil changes, i try to get one in before winter hits and get one when it starts to warm up. but if you pay people to do it, just stick with a 3 month type deal or if you want 3k. i dont see any harm in either method, more of a personal thing.
For most cars/light trucks 6 months or 5000miles is a safe rule. Some cars say you can go longer on reg. oil which you may. But 5k/6M is a good safe number.
If you use Syn then I move those to 10k/1Year.
Just don;t use Fram oil filters.
If you use Syn then I move those to 10k/1Year.
Just don;t use Fram oil filters.
MovingTarget
Diamond Member
- Jun 22, 2003
- 9,002
- 115
- 106
I used to be quite religious about the every 3000 miles oil change. However, since I'm doing waaay more highway miles nowadays, I've slacked off. When you have an hour commute one way on the interstate, you might have to go to once a month to every other month. So, its back to 1x/3months.
EightySix Four
Diamond Member
- Jul 17, 2004
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- 91
BlackTigers
Diamond Member
- Jan 15, 2006
- 4,491
- 2
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My manual says 5k/6mos for normal, and 3k/3mos for severe duty.
I changed min about half an hour ago, after about 4k miles. $15 every 4k miles really isn't that bad.
I changed min about half an hour ago, after about 4k miles. $15 every 4k miles really isn't that bad.
EightySix Four
Diamond Member
- Jul 17, 2004
- 5,122
- 52
- 91
Pretty tough not to, every report I have ever seen has a section stating the estimated life time left on the oil, amount of detergents left, etc.
Throckmorton
Lifer
- Aug 23, 2007
- 16,829
- 3
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DomS,
Your car should have a very similar, if not identical, system to my '01 Monte Carlo. GM puts Oil Life systems on most if not all their recent cars. It should keep track of your mileage, time, and driving conditions (rpm, time at operating temperature, etc.) and lets you know when it's time to change the oil.
In my case, the oil light doesn't come on until 5,000-6,000 miles, and that's when I change it. Look at your manual, and see if your car has this. If it does, I would just change it when the light comes on, that's what it's designed for.
Your car should have a very similar, if not identical, system to my '01 Monte Carlo. GM puts Oil Life systems on most if not all their recent cars. It should keep track of your mileage, time, and driving conditions (rpm, time at operating temperature, etc.) and lets you know when it's time to change the oil.
In my case, the oil light doesn't come on until 5,000-6,000 miles, and that's when I change it. Look at your manual, and see if your car has this. If it does, I would just change it when the light comes on, that's what it's designed for.
DarkThinker
Platinum Member
- Mar 17, 2007
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- 0
- 0
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,550
- 940
- 126
child of wonder
Diamond Member
- Aug 31, 2006
- 8,307
- 176
- 106
My uncle is a Ford Senior Master Mechanic and he says every 3k if you do mostly city driving and 5k if you do mostly highway driving. So I listen to him.
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