Oil Changes?

[PammyCakes]

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

[snowbert]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[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

[Unklescott]

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]

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?