Should I be worried that I have driven 500 miles over the 3,000 oil change mark ....

[FeuerFrei]

You can stop procrastinating now.

I wouldn't sweat it, but I wouldn't push it either.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

ZOMG your engine is going to explode when you turn your car on next.

It's not a terribly huge deal. I'm a stickler for 3k though, 2-300 over at most, but I'm usually in a bit before. Though all my cars have been 0ldsk00l, with engines that were designed in the 60's and late 70's/early 80's respectivly.

 

[Stattlich]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: Stattlich

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
Our cars have oil-life monitors. Are those monitors dependable?

In automotive circles, we refer to those as 'idiot lights'. I would not depend on them- use common sense and do your maintenance when it's supposed to be done, not when your car tells you. If anything, it's cheap insurance. I'm sure I could stretch my Mobil1 synthetic beyond 10,000 miles, but my engine is expensive to replace and I don't want to bet that - the heart of my car - to try and prove something. While it would be cool and interesting, it's just not worth it for me.

I see. FWIW, it's not just a light. It expresses a percentage of 'life' that's left and supposedly reflects the type of driving and driving conditions. Right now, one of the cars is at 20%--Oil change this weekend.

Oh! Ok, I was thinking of just a light- an actual monitor is pretty cool. Though, no, I'm really not sure how accurate that is. What kind of car is it?

If you're so inclined, this would be a good question to pose over to the guys at www.thecarlounge.net.

 

[wheresmybacon]

your car is going to esplode mang

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

They tried that in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and hilarity ensued.

Actually that was an attempt to make the odometer roll back.

I was referring to a 3,000 mile mark - surely there has to be a sign somewhere on the road. I'm surprised they aren't in front of those places called jiffy lube where apparently they lube their customer's sphincters with peanut oil. :Q

 

[MikeMike]

ive driven 4400 miles since my last oil change.

i plan to go about 600 more or so.

 

[Chryso]

The reason they want you to change oil every 3000 miles is so they sell more oil.

 

[feralkid]

I change it every day.

I even change my gas if it's been in the tank more than 100 miles.

 

[Pepsi90919]

i'm' about 15000 km into this oil

 

[Rage187]

my wife has gone until the oil light comes on, she thinks thats the car's way of telling her it's time for an oil change.
I now regularly change it myself.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Kind of a moot point isn't it? I mean, what are you going to do about it at this point? Rebuild the engine?

Just get it changed as soon as possible.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Man, remind me never to buy a used car from any of you guys...:roll:

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Man, remind me never to buy a used car from any of you guys...:roll:

why? are you likely to say, "man, there's this awesome grand prix for sale 5000 miles away, damn i'm all over that!" ?

 

[0roo0roo]

4-6k is the ok range. now if u spend oodles of time idling or doing rough driving the lower range is better for u.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Man, remind me never to buy a used car from any of you guys...:roll:

why? are you likely to say, "man, there's this awesome grand prix for sale 5000 miles away, damn i'm all over that!" ?

Oh, sorry, I didn't realize that I was the only forum member who lives in SoCal.

 

[mwmorph]

depends on the car. At ford we have service plans for some cars at 5k and some cars at 3k. My Camry is set for 7.5k in the service manual and 5k under dusty or abnormal conditions.

 

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
depends on the car. At ford we have service plans for some cars at 5k and some cars at 3k. My Camry is set for 7.5k in the service manual and 5k under dusty or abnormal conditions.

most people don't know that, they are brainwashed by the chumps and Jiffy Lube into thinking you need the oil changed at each 3000 miles or your car will blow up.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Rage187

Originally posted by: mwmorph
depends on the car. At ford we have service plans for some cars at 5k and some cars at 3k. My Camry is set for 7.5k in the service manual and 5k under dusty or abnormal conditions.

most people don't know that, they are brainwashed by the chumps and Jiffy Lube into thinking you need the oil changed at each 3000 miles or your car will blow up.

I tend to go with what's in the owner's manual and not with what Jiffy Lube says...not that I'd ever take my car to Jiffy Lube.

 

[1EZduzit]

3500 miles without an oil change??? :shocked: You must feel so dirty!!

The more often you change, the better. I try to change mine every 2000 miles, but it usually gets up to 2500 before I get around to it. I change mine lower then most people because I drive most of my vehicles until they fall apart. If i traded every few years then 3000 or even 3500 aouldn't hurt anything

 

[mooncancook]

I change my oil every 5000 with synthetic. 3000 is only recommended by the shop, not the manufacturer. Your auto transmission is more like to break down than your motor.

 

[Captante]

Roughly 5000 miles between changes is fine unless you really beat the crap out of your engine by driving in very dusty areas or are a professional driver who keeps it running all day and/or drive in a lot of stop & go traffic. I wouldn't go much over 5k with a 16-valve 4 cylinder in particular, especially if its a turbo.

Having said that, when I was a courier in NYC years ago, I used to routinely go up to 20k (!!!) between oil changes in my Toyota pickup & it ran perfectly for 251,000 miles without burning more then 1/4 quart between changes, then I sold it for $500!

 

[jpeyton]

500 miles over? Might as well junk the car now.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: HamSupLo
your engine is ruined. time to get a new car.

Yup. Drive into nearest tree, collect insurance, buy new car, change Oil on time! 4tw