Changing Oil

[UGAkilla]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times. I last changed my oil at 35845 miles when the change oil light came on. I've currently just turned 40k miles and no light yet. So it's been 4155 miles and I'm wondering if I should go ahead and do it.

Where I'm suprized is that I drive in Atlanta stop and go traffic everyday with the occasional trip to Savannah (400miles round trip). I think that whether or not I get a light by this weekend, I'm going to change it. We'll see.

Is this normal? To go 4155 miles without a change oil light in stop-and-go traffic?

[RocketFast321]

i would change my oil, I don't relie on the change oil light

[Black99GT3]

the change oil light comes on for me after 2,000 miles..why go past 3,000? i get so mad at my mom when she goes like 4,5,6000 miles without changing the oil..although it's not going to kill the car, i'm sure it's not good for it..why not just treat her good and do it every 3,000!

[UGAkilla]

well, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic (The Best, IMHO) so I figure I can let it go to about 4500 miles. But I wanted to see when the Change Oil light would go off next. I'll probably change the oil this weekend. Check the spark plugs too.

[LoneRangers15]

How many months has it been? If it has only been about three I would say you're okay if it has been about six, CHANGE IT.

[UGAkilla]

Oh no, I changed it 1/18/04. Been a little over two months. Yes, I've driven 4200 miles in 2 months.

[tenspeed]

Trust the light. You're using the best oil - why waste it. Those 400 mile trips lenghten the interval.

[Loopy]

Yup - what tenspeed said. I usually go between 4 and 5 thousand miles. You gotta remember - who tells you 3,000 miles? The oil companies, and the service shops...not the auto manufacturers.

[JeffGoTerps]

Originally posted by Loopy
who tells you 3,000 miles? The oil companies, and the service shops...not the auto manufacturers.
Who tells you to go over 3000 miles? Auto manufacturers in the business of selling more cars.

If your car doesn't last as long, you'll get a new one quicker, which puts more money in their pockets.

[master]

Trust nobody. It's all a conspiracy no matter who you listen to - manufacturers and oil companies. Use your instinct. Change the oil whenever you feel like it.