They say you should change your oil every 3,000 miles. What if it takes you almost six months to drive 3,000 miles. Should you change your oil based on an experation date? Does engine oil go bad in six months?
Engine oil has NO expiration date. What you have to consider is HOW much you drive and WHAT grade of oil you use.
The general rule states: "3 months or every 3,000 miles". This is not really the common case anymore if you are using a higher grade synthetic or synthetic-blend oil. There are still certain money/profit-hungry businesses that like to feed off that old belief……….yet, progress in technology is prevailing and synthetics are winning.
Check out some websites for AMSOIL and REDLINE. Do some online comparisons of oils. The "Instant Oil Change" places are FOS if they are telling you that you need to change your FULL SYNTHETIC oil every 3 months.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
It is every 3000 miles or every 3 months whatever comes first.
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December 24th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
yea, the reason why they recommend the change in 3-4 months if you haven’t reached 3,000 mi. is b/c oil loses it’s viscosity and other properties over time. oil breaks down from being reheated and cooled.
this can also fluctuate if you use synthetics
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mech.
December 24th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
3,000 miles or 3-4 months. oil breaks down after awhile.
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v
December 24th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
It’s a good idea to have your oil changed and car serviced every 3 – 4 months or as your seasons change. If you drive more than 3000 miles in 3 months get it done more often. Sometimes if you stay on top of the small things it will avoid more expensive problems later on.
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December 24th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Yes, it will go "bad" in six months. There are additives that protect your engine in there. Oil will lose these protective additives to the atmosphere over time.
Normally I would say 3,000 miles is too soon to change your oil. Unless you are pulling heavy loads are drive aggressively or drive in some other tough conditions closer to 5,000 miles would be ok. See your owners manual.
However, I would change it at the six months since you aren’t putting many miles on the car, unless you are using a synthetic or synthetic blend.
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December 24th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Oil change is basing on mileage and time, whichever come first.
If you are using the normal mineral based lubricating oil, we need to replace the engine every 3,000 miles. However, if your car is under used, you may want to change the oil every 3 to 4 months.
You are right, mineral based engine oil will go ‘bad’.
Synthetic oil is a better choice as it can last longer – 6 months or every 6,000 miles!
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December 25th, 2009 at 12:36 am
You can go six months if you watch your oil. If you drive only a few blocks at a time, you run the risk of moisture buildup in your oil. If you drive your car several miles, allowing it to get up to full operating temperature, at least once a week, then you don’t need to worry about it. Six months is fine.
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December 25th, 2009 at 1:05 am
Every 5,000 kilometres.
Every 3,000 miles.
OR 3 months
References :
http://www.aoca.org
December 25th, 2009 at 1:35 am
changing your oil is not based souly on milage. more frequent changes are needed in dusty areas or for heavy stop and go traffic, if you do alot of idling, towing, up hill, mountain areas, extreme heat, racing, etc.
base oil changes more for condition and run time than milage. milage is just a number to go on for rough estimate.
If you vehical sits around for a while (months) change oil due to moisture build up. more frequent changes may be neccisary if high milage too. For this check oil if black, gritty, burn smell when hot it’s time
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December 25th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Engine oil has NO expiration date. What you have to consider is HOW much you drive and WHAT grade of oil you use.
The general rule states: "3 months or every 3,000 miles". This is not really the common case anymore if you are using a higher grade synthetic or synthetic-blend oil. There are still certain money/profit-hungry businesses that like to feed off that old belief……….yet, progress in technology is prevailing and synthetics are winning.
Check out some websites for AMSOIL and REDLINE. Do some online comparisons of oils. The "Instant Oil Change" places are FOS if they are telling you that you need to change your FULL SYNTHETIC oil every 3 months.
References :
December 25th, 2009 at 2:23 am
there’s a lot of controversy about exactly when engine oil gets old and how often it should be replaced with new oil. Because there are many factors at work — how you drive, the condition and age of the engine, the external environment you drive in, and stop-and-go versus highway driving — it’s an inexact science. Owner’s manual recommendations for oil and filter changes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 miles.
It is recommended that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. That’s our best estimate. It may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last to a ripe, old age.
You may want to consider changing your oil more frequently if:
You drive like a knucklehead: jackrabbit starts, heavy acceleration or high-speed driving
You live where the climate is extremely hot or cold
You often drive on dirt roads
Your engine is old and burns oil
You frequently carry heavy loads (several mothers-in-law or other cargo)
References :
http://www.cartalk.com/content/advice/oilchanges.html