To oil change or not to oil change after 1yr/2.3k miles - Page 2

rumatt · 12-08-2017, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

It's a Miata. I'd probably be comfortable with 24 months.

That's what I was thinking.

And how long are you going to keep it.

kognito · 12-08-2017, 12:07 PM

I just went through this with my RV (ford V-10, many quarts of synthetic blend required) It only has about 3K miles on it but is over a year old. Went to the local Pennzoil drive through (not going to put a 26 foot RV on a lift) and the owner told me to bring it back when it had 5k miles on it.

In a world where anyone seems willing to take your money, I found his honesty about what his computer system said about usage and mileage comforting

equ · 12-08-2017, 11:38 PM

I used to do 12 months regardless of mileage. But we have simply too many vehicles now (have to do something about that). Four cars, three motorcycles. For the less driven ones, I've stretched it to 18 months (say 1.5k miles on a bike or 3k miles on a car).

I think it's completely fine, especially as I get the oil hot on most of those runs (never do a short cycle).

I also remember when I was shopping for m3's, I looked at a local mint one. It had 14k miles and had only the first 1.2k oil change and maybe one more at 12k miles - over nearly 10 years!

When I passed, the seller got all huffy, as it seems the e46 computer did not call for it based on time. Anyway, EAG bought that car and sold it for a pretty penny.

John V · 12-09-2017, 09:02 AM

I wouldn't change it. If you want a little peace of mind about that decision, suck out a sample of oil and send it out for analysis.

Alan · 12-09-2017, 11:00 AM

I’d follow whatever the manufacturer recommends ... I do oil changes once a year and brake fluid changes every 2 years on both the R8 and 911 and like equ I wanted the maintenance records on the R8 when I bought it and every maintenance was followed to the T. For a car with 15k miles it has had more brake fluid changes then most cars had oil changes

Nick M3 · 12-10-2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

I wouldn't change it. If you want a little peace of mind about that decision, suck out a sample of oil and send it out for analysis.

Isn’t an oil analysis the same cost as a miata oil change?

rumatt · 12-10-2017, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

Isn’t an oil analysis the same cost as a miata oil change?

But he'd know for future years.

John V · 12-10-2017, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

Isn’t an oil analysis the same cost as a miata oil change?

5 Quarts of decent (not Mobil 1) synthetic plus a filter? No.

Nick M3 · 12-10-2017, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

5 Quarts of decent (not Mobil 1) synthetic plus a filter? No.

Why would you put better oil than M1 in a Miata?

rumatt · 12-10-2017, 09:43 PM

I know Mobile 1 fell off its pedestal years ago... But what exactly is better?

A while back I asked the Blackstone oil analysis guys what oil they recommended, and they said any of the synthetic oils are all pretty much in the same bucket. That made me lose interest in trying to pick the best oil. Now I just focus on trying to remember to change it once in a while.

12-08-2017, 12:07 PM	#12
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,897	I just went through this with my RV (ford V-10, many quarts of synthetic blend required) It only has about 3K miles on it but is over a year old. Went to the local Pennzoil drive through (not going to put a 26 foot RV on a lift) and the owner told me to bring it back when it had 5k miles on it. In a world where anyone seems willing to take your money, I found his honesty about what his computer system said about usage and mileage comforting __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

12-09-2017, 11:00 AM	#15
Alan Carmudgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,663	I’d follow whatever the manufacturer recommends ... I do oil changes once a year and brake fluid changes every 2 years on both the R8 and 911 and like equ I wanted the maintenance records on the R8 when I bought it and every maintenance was followed to the T. For a car with 15k miles it has had more brake fluid changes then most cars had oil changes Last edited by Alan; 12-09-2017 at 02:42 PM.

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12-08-2017, 11:38 PM	#13
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,583	I used to do 12 months regardless of mileage. But we have simply too many vehicles now (have to do something about that). Four cars, three motorcycles. For the less driven ones, I've stretched it to 18 months (say 1.5k miles on a bike or 3k miles on a car). I think it's completely fine, especially as I get the oil hot on most of those runs (never do a short cycle). I also remember when I was shopping for m3's, I looked at a local mint one. It had 14k miles and had only the first 1.2k oil change and maybe one more at 12k miles - over nearly 10 years! When I passed, the seller got all huffy, as it seems the e46 computer did not call for it based on time. Anyway, EAG bought that car and sold it for a pretty penny.

12-09-2017, 09:02 AM	#14
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I wouldn't change it. If you want a little peace of mind about that decision, suck out a sample of oil and send it out for analysis.

12-10-2017, 09:43 PM	#20
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I know Mobile 1 fell off its pedestal years ago... But what exactly is better? A while back I asked the Blackstone oil analysis guys what oil they recommended, and they said any of the synthetic oils are all pretty much in the same bucket. That made me lose interest in trying to pick the best oil. Now I just focus on trying to remember to change it once in a while.