Oil Changes?

PammyCakes · 05-06-2008, 04:41 PM

Do you go by the 3 months, or the mileage? I have to use the synthetic oil, which is very expensive, so I don't want to be changing it every 3 months...however, it takes me almost 6 months to rack up 5000 miles on my car.

If it matters, I have an 03 VW Passat, V6

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snowbert · 05-06-2008, 04:57 PM

Hello

The mileage is the most important, check your owners manual , but 5000 may be a bit high even for synthetic. Don't forget air filter and tire pressure (monthly for tires)

Bill

ScoutMom · 05-06-2008, 06:35 PM

My husband changes the oil in our cars based on the number of miles (every 3,000). He goes nuts if I put more than 3,000 miles on my car without an oil change!

Yardgnome · 05-06-2008, 09:41 PM

I had a Saab that the car told you when to change it. It would go 15000-18000 miles. I only changed the oil on that car about once a year. It also came with free oil changes through any Saab dealer. It was a huge bonus to that car.

livin4reality · 05-06-2008, 10:09 PM

My car, a newer Impala tells me when to change it. It was at 98% oil life at 36,000 miles and now is at 32% at 38,000. That is over 7 months.

burntbrat · 05-06-2008, 10:55 PM

I think most VW's are 5000 milers. The owner's manual is your best bet. I have a Mazda and only change it every 5000 miles because that's what the owner's manual says. No problems so far and I've got over 50,000 miles.

Ellen · 05-07-2008, 12:13 AM

Mine ('04 Saturn Ion) says every 5000 miles, so that's what I do. Timewise, that translates to around 4 months for me.

PammyCakes · 05-07-2008, 10:11 AM

Thanks for the information guys, I really appreciate it!! I was just concerned that maybe oil aged or turned bad or something, I don't know anything about cars. lol

Unklescott · 05-07-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PammyCakes

Thanks for the information guys, I really appreciate it!! I was just concerned that maybe oil aged or turned bad or something, I don't know anything about cars. lol

The oil doesn't "go bad" but condensation occurs inside the engine. That is why it is recommended that you change the oil within a certain length of time (3 months) to avoid damage to the internal parts.

PammyCakes · 05-07-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unklescott

The oil doesn't "go bad" but condensation occurs inside the engine. That is why it is recommended that you change the oil within a certain length of time (3 months) to avoid damage to the internal parts.

So are you saying that it does need to be changed within 3 months?

05-06-2008, 04:41 PM	#1
PammyCakes FORT Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 43	Oil Changes? Do you go by the 3 months, or the mileage? I have to use the synthetic oil, which is very expensive, so I don't want to be changing it every 3 months...however, it takes me almost 6 months to rack up 5000 miles on my car. If it matters, I have an 03 VW Passat, V6 __________________ I am nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect.

05-06-2008, 04:57 PM	#2
snowbert FORT Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6	Re: Oil Changes? Hello The mileage is the most important, check your owners manual , but 5000 may be a bit high even for synthetic. Don't forget air filter and tire pressure (monthly for tires) Bill

05-06-2008, 06:35 PM	#3
ScoutMom FORT Fogey Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,049	Re: Oil Changes? My husband changes the oil in our cars based on the number of miles (every 3,000). He goes nuts if I put more than 3,000 miles on my car without an oil change!

05-06-2008, 09:41 PM	#4
Yardgnome Being VIP Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Harnessing my evil for good. Posts: 5,276	Re: Oil Changes? I had a Saab that the car told you when to change it. It would go 15000-18000 miles. I only changed the oil on that car about once a year. It also came with free oil changes through any Saab dealer. It was a huge bonus to that car. Last edited by Yardgnome; 05-06-2008 at 10:13 PM.

05-06-2008, 10:09 PM	#5
livin4reality FORT Fogey Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 2,264	Re: Oil Changes? My car, a newer Impala tells me when to change it. It was at 98% oil life at 36,000 miles and now is at 32% at 38,000. That is over 7 months. __________________ I very much believe in rescuing animals, not buying them. Candice Bergen, on finding her dog, Lois, a terrier/basset hound mix

05-06-2008, 10:55 PM	#6
burntbrat Forum Assistant Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, TX Age: 34 Posts: 2,256	Re: Oil Changes? I think most VW's are 5000 milers. The owner's manual is your best bet. I have a Mazda and only change it every 5000 miles because that's what the owner's manual says. No problems so far and I've got over 50,000 miles. __________________ One of these days I'll stop being sensitive. Until then, I'll continue to be devastated on a daily basis. Life breaks my heart.

05-07-2008, 12:13 AM	#7
Ellen Sun & Fun in SoCal Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Diego Age: 51 Posts: 3,391	Re: Oil Changes? Mine ('04 Saturn Ion) says every 5000 miles, so that's what I do. Timewise, that translates to around 4 months for me. __________________ "There's no crying in baseball!" -- Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own

05-07-2008, 10:11 AM	#8
PammyCakes FORT Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 43	Re: Oil Changes? Thanks for the information guys, I really appreciate it!! I was just concerned that maybe oil aged or turned bad or something, I don't know anything about cars. lol __________________ I am nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect.