New car oil change interval

cp1969 · Jun 19, 2002

My daughter just bought a new Acura RSX and told me the salesman told her NOT to change the oil in it until it reached 10K miles.

I didn't think that could be right, so I started going through the owner's manual to verify, and sure enough-- it says, "do NOT change the oil until the maintenance schedule says to change it" (something like that), and the maintenance schedule specifies the first and all subsequent oil changes to be on 10K intervals.

How times have changed.

Hans · Jun 19, 2002

Don't rape your engine, change oil and filter every 3,000 miles (even sooner on your first change). I work for a service contract company so I see more engine oil related failures than most people. I have not read the Acura manual for 2002 but if you read deeper into the manual there is probably a "severe duty schedule" that indicates more frequent oil changes are necessary if you live in a warm climate/cold climate/do stop and go driving/take short trips, etc. Severe duty schedules end up applying to most drivers if your read closely. I'll also bet if you go in the back of the dealer and talk to a real mechanic (not one of the parts swappers that are becoming so common) he will also tell you to change the oil/filter every 3,000 miles.

I remember a customer who was using Amsoil when his engine seized (the inspection photos showed it was obvious that extended oil change intervals caused the failure, i.e. plugged pick up screen and drain back holes and no evidence of intermix.) His excuse was Amsoil told him it was ok to go xxxxx miles between oil changes. I suggested he call them about getting a new engine.

cp1969 · Jun 20, 2002

Nope, no 'severe' duty recommended interval (not that I saw, anyway). 10K for any and all applications, with the specific warning in the 'Break In' section NOT to change the oil early.

I was dumbfounded, too. I was brought up with a you-can't-change-your-oil-often-enough mentality, but maybe the times they are a' changin', to quote Bobby Z.

I've heard that the TDI VW also recommends to not change the initial fill of oil before 5K.

Buck · Jun 20, 2002

cp1969.

My 2002 GMC Sierra says 7500 miles.

Buck

njrqs · Jun 20, 2002

Seems most of our new vehicles here are now 10000-15000km. = 6000-9000miles.

Scares me too but they are all going that way. 15000km seems to be the norm.

I have always done my oil every 5000km but in the newy I just let em do it as per the book.

(We do mostly highway miles)

Cheers

Will_C · Jun 20, 2002

I would try to find out why the 10,000 mile interval from a Acura mechanic or Honda themselves. I can't imagine any benefit from not changing the oil.
1981 Toyota- sold with 126,000 miles.
1989 Toyota 2wd truck-sold with 141,000miles.
1996 Toyota Tacoma 4wd-still driving with 101,000 miles.
All had filter and oil changed every 3,000 miles
Will

Ledgemere Farm · Jun 20, 2002

Both my Mazda and my Honda list "5000 miles" as a service interval. I agree that 10,000 is a little much. An oil change is alot cheaper than a new motor.

treeboone · Jun 20, 2002

I had a nagging thought wander though my head when I read this---planned obsolescence. I dont think there is much money in a customer that keeps using the same car more than 4 years. They sure discourage us from repairing them (parts prices are a good example) I suspect they are using the ploy of environmentally friendly-low oil demand--higher wear--purchase new again sooner. Naw, I take that back! I must be getting paranoid, they wouldn't do that.

Trev · Jun 20, 2002

Funny this should come up now.. I just discussed this in detail with my dealer.

The car is a 2001 Audi A4 1.8T (a turbocharged straight 4), and the mainenance schedule is 5000, 10000, 20000, 30000, etc.

I asked the dealer, could this really be right? He said the thing is, the filters they use nowadays are really something. He told me about another brand of car that now has 15,000 mile scheduled intervals, and they only change the filter every other time! He said these aren't the cheapo filters you find at KMart. Look at the oil at the end of the 10K interval, and it's perfectly clean! Hard to believe, but he said just follow the built-in computer that tells me when to do maintenance, check the oil level from time to time and top up as needed (mine didn't use a drop in 10K miles), and I'll be fine.

Take this for whatever it's worth!

Bob

treeboone · Jun 20, 2002

Allow me a moment of sarcasm if I may. Consider the source of the opinion. Your dealer, what does he sell? IF you were buying a used vehicle, would you want one that has been serviced at extended intervals?
I marvel at the new filters, somehow they neutralize acidity and replace detergents and additives that heat and contaminants break down. What a country!
This is the same logic that can be applied to those that lease a car and do NO oil changes for 36000 miles. Sure the engine still runs fine and will for a while more. It likely won't have much life left after 75,000 however. But that is OK if your a dealer wanting to sell the customer a new car!