how often to change oil

[merlot4]

This has been mentioned before, but a recent article by the NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/yo...shortcuts.html
advocates a longer time period than the traditional 3Kmile or 3 month time frame that I grew up with -and still use. The newer oils have the benefit of technology and probably will go a longer distance, but I still have misgivings of microscopic things suspended in the oil grinding away in there. I may try an oil testing service just out of curiosity, but at this time I can't see myself going to 6 or 7K mile intervals. Many of the cars on TBN are not driven often, which is probably quite different on oil demands than my daily driver. I think I question what is suspended in the oil and potentially harming seating surfaces more than the oil itself breaking down.

[jimbubbawade]

Re: how often to change oil

i'm not sure what the crankcase capacity is on the new birds... but a lot of the newer cars have larger capacities.... we had a Cad that had a 7 quart crankcase.....

[MATBird]

Re: how often to change oil

Are there any oil experts on TBN? I believe the manual says use a synthetic blend.
Just curious, if we do have an expert, what are the + & -'s to the synthetic blend/standard oil/real synthetic

[JAB02LHS]

Re: how often to change oil

Dino oil every 6K for 40 years with no engine problems on any vehicle.

[jerrym3]

Re: how often to change oil

Just had mine changed yesterday.

Time interval/mileage

9 months/990 miles

Maybe it's overkill , but for $36 (plus a free breakfast bagel/coffee coupon from my Lincoln/Mercury dealer), what the heck?

[Gobird]

Re: how often to change oil

Every 3,000 in the past and in the future.

[fossil46]

Re: how often to change oil

I THINK THE OWNERS BOOK SAID EVERY 5,000 MILES

[XCR440SP]

Re: how often to change oil

On my 'bird I'd go every 3K miles if I hit that. I usually change it late summer, and again in the spring when I get it out of storage.

I still belive oil is cheap and will follow manufacture suggested intervols. On the Thunderbird thats every 3k miles (severe duty schedule that 90% of us fall into due to short trips, the dream world recomendation was 5K). On my new cars, the severe duty schedule is every 5K miles (2007 Edge and all 2008 on up cars, dream world ideal oil change intervol was 7500). I haven't seen the intervol on the new 2011's (F-150, Edge and I think Mustang) have a 10K mile dream world intervol and I don't know what the severe duty schedule is.

I do run Mobil 1, but I don't think its neccisary, but I do it since its only twice a year. I do belive in Mobil for our winter cars as the cold startup is noticably better (turns over easier and gets oil pressure quicker) with the full synthetic oil. That said I think current SynBlends are likely better than Full Syn was 15 years ago based on engine life.

However, we still see more engine failures at the dealership from the Extended drain full synthetic crowd than from the regular intervol regular oil crowd. Also we've started seeing new problems with the extended intervols. the VCT system (on the 3V V8's in particular) the timing system seems to develop a terrible clatter with lack of regular oil change (doesn't matter which oil).

[HKS]

Re: how often to change oil

Spence,

Do you believe in changing oil every 6 months regardless of mileage? I never have 3000 miles on the Tbird between changes, more like 300 miles.

Just asking for advice.


HKS

Every 3,000 in the past and in the future.

[Gobird]

Re: how often to change oil

I have had a couple cars over the years that would only get driven 4/5 times a year. I changed the oil in them once a year. That's what I have done with my MGB after I restored it. It only gets about 1000 mile a year put on it. I still have 65/70 pounds of oil pressure when running. Pretty good for a car that's 37 yrs. old.

[islandtime]

Re: how often to change oil

All our vehicles - every 6 mos, regardless of mileage (we average about 1500-2000 miles per year per car). Fortunately, my oil changes are free at my Ford dealer (a perk of being a preferred customer for over 30 years).

[Ediron]

Re: how often to change oil

3,000-4,000 in S.Florida.I think the heat down here can harm oil property's.My Bird gets 3-4 changes a year as I do like to drive it.

[04birdman]

Re: how often to change oil

im a traveling salesman ,wa,idaho,montana....50k mi per yr...last 35yrs..do the math..change oil every 7 to 8 k...never had a failure......the bird at 4k per yr...gets it changed 0nce a yr...in the 60's dad worked for ATT..2nd largest fleet of cars/trucks next to military, never changed the oil, only the filter and add as needed....because of warr or extended warr..need to do it as recomended by manufac....

[Leroy]

Re: how often to change oil

My 2008 Malibu LTZ tells you when oil life is low, usually about 6K miles between oil changes. Oil change and tire rotation costs about $30.00 at the dealer. Just had the TBird changed at 17k next service at 20K, probably next Summer sometime? Leroy

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[Bruce]

Re: how often to change oil

Every Fall before I put them away for the long winter sleep.