First Oil Change

[Rkt Ship]

Am still curious why european cars changes oil every 20.000 KM. Am dead serious! no kidding. There's that much difference in oil quality between Europe and US? I know there's huge difference in fuel quality, in europe the lowest octane you can get is 95 while the highest available (Germany) it's 102 octane. Maybe it has something to do with this? Higher octane burns cleaner? My Mirage rides on 98-equivalent (Shell V-power) and I feel the difference when I put a normal 95 octane fuel in it. Higher than V-power there's no noticeable difference.

We actually use a different type of octane rating here its an average of ron and mon whereas europe usually uses RON theres a few pages about this and even a wiki on it. Take a gander. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

OOps noticed someone else already responded to this.

[M-88]

You have to get good data from Used Oil Analysis.

I have seen UOA data and pictures in the valve cover of the engine in my Focus when run 10,000 miles on a good synthetic. Looked brand new and the UOA said the additives was no where near used up. Some engines are easier on oil than others.

The 3000mile oil change was valid at one point in time ... 50 years ago. We had carburetors that would run pig rich all the time, engines that always ran cool, poor crankcase ventilation, low detergent oils, low end filtering technology, loose tolerances in manufacturing the engines.

[m4v3r1ck]

You have to get good data from Used Oil Analysis.

I have seen UOA data and pictures in the valve cover of the engine in my Focus when run 10,000 miles on a good synthetic. Looked brand new and the UOA said the additives was no where near used up. Some engines are easier on oil than others.

The 3000mile oil change was valid at one point in time ... 50 years ago. We had carburetors that would run pig rich all the time, engines that always ran cool, poor crankcase ventilation, low detergent oils, low end filtering technology, loose tolerances in manufacturing the engines.

So it's indeed true that our engines and oil are nowadays very good engineered that it can easily reach 20k KM-ish without changing. It's also much better for the environtment if EVERYONE don't recycle their oil every 3k

[cookiemonster]

Don't forget about the warranty!

It requires 3750mi/3 month severe service oil changes ... at least in the u.S.

[Ares]

Don't forget about the warranty!

It requires 3750mi/3 month severe service oil changes ... at least in the u.S.

What are you talking about? On my oil change sticker, it's 5k 5 months.

[adrew]

Don't forget about the warranty!

It requires 3750mi/3 month severe service oil changes ... at least in the u.S.

It's every 6 months / 7500 miles unless "your vehicle is frequently driven under one or more of the following road conditions." I usually split the difference between normal and severe and have never had issues. The dealer will certainly offer more frequent services but their superfluous servicing isn't necessary for warranty coverage.

• Driving on dusty, rough, muddy or salt-spread roads
• Towing or police, taxi or commercial operation
• Extensive idling and/or low speed operation
• Repeated short-trip operation at freezing temperatures (engine not thoroughly warmed up)
• Extended use of brakes while driving
• Driving in sandy areas
• More than 50 % operation in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 °F (32 °C)

[cookiemonster]

What are you talking about? On my oil change sticker, it's 5k 5 months.

The manufacturer's owner's manual lists 3,750 mile oil changes for severe service.

Did the dealer put 5k on a sticker?

The manufacturer warranties the engine (not the dealer, unless you purchased a warranty from them), so I suggest going with what the manufacturer states.

[cookiemonster]

It's every 6 months / 7500 miles unless "your vehicle is frequently driven under one or more of the following road conditions." I usually split the difference between normal and severe and have never had issues. The dealer will certainly offer more frequent services but their superfluous servicing isn't necessary for warranty coverage.

• Driving on dusty, rough, muddy or salt-spread roads
• Towing or police, taxi or commercial operation
• Extensive idling and/or low speed operation
• Repeated short-trip operation at freezing temperatures (engine not thoroughly warmed up)
• Extended use of brakes while driving
• Driving in sandy areas
• More than 50 % operation in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 °F (32 °C)

Yep ... I frequently operate it under those conditions (idling, low speed, short-trips, heavy city traffic, etc.) .. that's why I'll change at 3,750/3 ... not gonna give the mfg. any reason to deny any warranty claim.

[Ares]

I'm going to laugh the day mistsu denies your claim for another reason and have thrown away all that $.

While the manufacturer does, in fact honor or deny the claim, the dealership submits it... If the dealership tech is at fault, I don't care. That's what they (dealership) recommended. That's good enough for me.

[m4v3r1ck]

Yeap yeap ... let's just we all stick to what dealer told u to do .... I'll stick to 20k oil changing anyway ... with my driving if i have to change oil every 4000 km, I will be changing oil every month!! F*K that! 12x a year is way too much!