I've recently moved downtown and am now walking to work (and just about everything else), which has decreased my monthly mileage to somewhere between 100 and 200 miles total. I know the oil companies say 3 months/ 3000 miles (despite my manual saying at least twice that), but changing oil every 600 miles seems kind of ridiculous. does oil go bad from age as well as wear?
how often should I change my oil?
- Thread starter Khee Mao
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In your case, I would put in synthetic oil, and change once a year.
Its is odd, but I have found that a car that is not use gets as much problems as a car that is being used. You will noticed the brakes going, rust, etc.... my 2 cents
Its is odd, but I have found that a car that is not use gets as much problems as a car that is being used. You will noticed the brakes going, rust, etc.... my 2 cents
Joseph Wind
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3mo/3k miles is based on what Auto Manufacturers call severe conditions or every day use if you lived in California. It would be a waste to change the oil at 600 miles. I'd agree with Frank, switch to synthetic and change your oil less often. If you're worried about voiding your warranty, you could change every 6 months, but check the condition of the oil and other fluids at least once a month.
I think if and when you drive the car if the trips are short ( 4-5 ) miles and in the winter 3 months is about right.
If you drive and the trip is long enough to warn the engine up to normal operateing temperature, and sustain that temp for at least 15 miles twice a yr is the way to go.
I don't know what difference it makes if the oil is synthetic or conventional if it has moisture in it, it makes no difference, the moisture is still going to damage internal parts, so why spend the extra for the synethic.
my .02 cents
Tom
If you drive and the trip is long enough to warn the engine up to normal operateing temperature, and sustain that temp for at least 15 miles twice a yr is the way to go.
I don't know what difference it makes if the oil is synthetic or conventional if it has moisture in it, it makes no difference, the moisture is still going to damage internal parts, so why spend the extra for the synethic.
my .02 cents
Tom
Khee Mao said:
The 3mo/3k miles guideline is still being debated, but, on a car that doesn't make very long trips (enough to completely warm the engine and evaporate water vapor), I would stick with the 3 month. Condensation in the oil leads to sulfates (think that's the right word - it's late...) that attack bearing surfaces. Don't want that, now do we?
HTH
Jeremy
I drive a lot, but I use Amsoil XL7500 and change only at 7500 miles.
No my Tundra is ridden line your Honda. I've had it since July 2001 and only have 16k on it. I use full Synthetic and change it once a year. Even then it looks very clean when changed.
G-Man
No my Tundra is ridden line your Honda. I've had it since July 2001 and only have 16k on it. I use full Synthetic and change it once a year. Even then it looks very clean when changed.
G-Man
That's the correct answer.
Changing the oil every 3000 miles (standard usage) is a waste of time, money, and oil. My '03 Civic's manual says once every 10k miles -- changing it every 3000 miles is a waste of 8 quarts of oil every 10,000 miles. I don't know about you folks, but I am not eager to give the oil companies and middle Eastern nations more of my money than necessary. I sure don't want to do anything that maintains our dependence on them any more than absolutely necessary.
Changing the oil every 3000 miles (standard usage) is a waste of time, money, and oil. My '03 Civic's manual says once every 10k miles -- changing it every 3000 miles is a waste of 8 quarts of oil every 10,000 miles. I don't know about you folks, but I am not eager to give the oil companies and middle Eastern nations more of my money than necessary. I sure don't want to do anything that maintains our dependence on them any more than absolutely necessary.
George Pennington
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The way oil is formulated these days you can wait 6 months between oil changes if you don't hit the mileage before.
I used plain old Castrol 10w-30 and changed the oil between 4,000 and 6,000 (basically - when I got around to it but never at 3,000) and my car has 232,000 miles with no engine failure.
Would I have made it to 260,000 with synthetic or a lower interval? At 100 to 200 miles a month it will take you 108 years to find out. Save your money. Actually, if you calculate what that car is costing you per mile (insurance and amortized cost of vehicle) - sell it and take a cab ;-)
Would I have made it to 260,000 with synthetic or a lower interval? At 100 to 200 miles a month it will take you 108 years to find out. Save your money. Actually, if you calculate what that car is costing you per mile (insurance and amortized cost of vehicle) - sell it and take a cab ;-)
John Horner
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but changing oil every 600 miles seems kind of ridiculous.
Driving many short trips can in theory wear oil out rapidly, but long periods of doing nothing followed by trips which get the vehicle up to full operating temperature (at least 20-30 minutes of driving) are really not that hard on the car.
You could sleep very easy going 6 months between changes and would probably do no harm at a 12 month interval.
3 months/3,000 miles is an ancient rule of thumb which survives today mostly to support the income of Jiffy Lube & friends!
John
Driving many short trips can in theory wear oil out rapidly, but long periods of doing nothing followed by trips which get the vehicle up to full operating temperature (at least 20-30 minutes of driving) are really not that hard on the car.
You could sleep very easy going 6 months between changes and would probably do no harm at a 12 month interval.
3 months/3,000 miles is an ancient rule of thumb which survives today mostly to support the income of Jiffy Lube & friends!
John
I suspect part of that is to support Honda too. My dealer offers a $19.99 oil change. Not a bad deal at all around here. However, the sticker they put on the windshield indicates a 3,000 mile recommended change.
The owners manual for my 2004 Civic indicates 5,000.
The owners manual for my 2004 Civic indicates 5,000.
