Notice how they have evolved?

When I first started driving, it was 3,000 miles. Then it went to 5,000 miles. The maintenance reminder in our Honda and Toyota lights up at 5,000 miles.

Bought a new Toyota Highlander last year with the maintenance "included" last year to the 2 year or 20,000 mile mark, whichever comes first. It's not really included as it's just adjusted in the price of the vehicle. Despite the maintenance light coming on at 5,000 miles, Toyota said an oil change is only required at 10,000 miles.

I haven't looked ahead yet but if I were to guess, I would guess after 20,000 miles they recommend changing at 5,000 mile intervals. Not sure what type of oil they put in at the 10,000 mile oil change but I changed it today at the 15,000 mile mark with Quaker State full synthetic and it's noticeably smoother than it was before.

I believe I read that some of the German cars have a 10,000 or 15,000 mile oil change interval.

I know oil additives are better and engines are built better but I'm still not a fan of 10,000 oil change intervals, especially with our heat and humidity here. Combine that with our Highlander making lots of short trips and I'll stick with the 5,000 intervals. That also gives me the chance to rotate the tires and check everything out with the wheels off.

What do you guys do for your change intervals?

5k miles.
It is cheap and easy.

Generally, oil never really goes bad. It is changed because it is contaminated with unburnt fuel, hydrocarbons, moisture and other things. Newer oils really do have much much better additives to extend their life. The newer cars also have much better sealing piston rings and tighter tolerances. Both contribute to the extended oil changes you see on newer vehicles.

However, it never hurts to change your oil sooner than later.

6-8 months for me. Usually every 2,000mi, sometimes I get lazy and go 8 mo it so.

My work truck with the 6.7 Cummins gets it every 15,000 miles. The gas truck it replaced had its oil changed every 5,000.

The diesel's change is roughly 3 times the cost, so it was a wash from a cost stand point.

My 2019 Honda CRV lights up at 7,500. I'd do it myself at 5,000 max. but one of the bolts to the shield cover is frozen. I'm not sure how the dealer (lifetime free oil changes) changed it without removing that bolt, but I'm waiting for them to break it.

My maintenance reminder light works off the odometer and comes on every 5000 miles (not a so-called "oil 'life' monitor"), so 5000 it is. This is a reasonable interval. More often than this is diminishing returns. It calls for 5W20, or in subzero temperatures, 0W20. I use 5W20 synthetic blend.

Most every car built in the last 15 years or so has variable valve timing. Do not use heavier oil than that called for, nor any additives that thicken the oil. Do not exceed your recommended interval, whatever that may be. A repair bill for a stuck or sluggish "cam 'phaser'" can be expensive.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,

Driving an old Jeep. I do my own every 6,000 miles or 6 months. Whichever comes first. Regular oil.

When I had a BMW it was 1 year or 15k miles since BMW paid for it in the first four years. Last I heard they now only do two years and it's one year or 10k mile intervals. I quit BMW. My brother still has one. He does his own every 6 months with full synthetic.

5k or yearly, which ever comes first.

2016 Honda CRV. I drive about 10k miles per month and I visit the dealer when my percentage indicator reads 10%. About once a month. Full synthetic. I am considering going the Amsoil route.

Funny how it apparently has a lot to do with who pays for the oil changes. When they’re free you only need them every 10K miles, but if they’re not free that same dealer strongly recommends every 3K. I’ve been going 10K using high quality full synthetic for years now with no problems. I’ve heard of people swapping out the filter midway and topping off the oil after a brief restart but I doubt there’s any real benefit with modern engine tolerances.

My '17 Tundra owners manual says 10,000 but under "heavy use" (towing, offroad) 5000.
I use Mobile 1 and don't have anything to tow so have no qualms about going 10k before changing. My offroad use is usually only 20 miles or so at the most. Big deal.

I’ve never understood why it’s so difficult to just follow the factory (not dealer) recommended interval. I’ve driven cars with recommended intervals of 3,750 and 7,500 miles, so that’s when I changed it on them. My current 2015 Cherokee is supposed to be changed based on the oil life monitor, never to exceed 10K or the 0% mark. I usually change it when it gets to around 5%, which is usually between 8-9K.

[shrug]

-Rob

I do mine every 6 months some where between 11k and 13.5 K. Owners manual states every 6 months or 15K which ever occurs first. Here's my oil analysis for my last 2.

10k

Really, anything less than what the manufacture recommends is a waste.

Find me someone who had their engine go kaput because they changed their oil according to the manufacture's recommendation.

I do drift longer than 3k of yesteryear, but there are factors for consideration.

One is of course newer vehicle, not an 80’s Dodge Dart, should there be one still on the road.

Type & location of driving are biggies. Is it lot of miles in a short time? Are we driving 5 miles to work in cold temps then sitting for the day? Do we ever see a gravel road? Yes, heavy towing?

On a newer vehicle I’m usually in the 5-7k range, synthetic oil.

3k-4k...oil changes are inexpensive insurance, and while the oil may last longer, I’m not convinced the filters do.

The manual in my Sienna says 10k so that’s what it gets. Or yearly, whichever comes first. I start to keep an eye on the dipstick after 7k just to make sure it hasn’t turned into tar but I’ve never had a problem.

My 4R gets a runs on regular gas. It gets a bottle of Techron followed by an oil change every 5000 miles. This vehicle averages about 8000 miles a year.

My Porsche 911 runs on premium gas. It gets an oil change every spring, mid-summer, and fall (before storing). Manual recommends yearly or every 10,000 miles. This vehicle averages 1500 to 2000 miles a year.

To me extra changes are cheap insurance.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
I’ve never understood why it’s so difficult to just follow the factory (not dealer) recommended interval. ...

[shrug]

-Rob

Agree.

About Mobil 1 and other "full synthetic" motor oils:
I was just reading on BobIsTheOilGuy that many of these formulas have been changed to sell at a lower price. If you want true full synthetic, you need to buy Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic or the like. Opinions on this would be welcome.