My Oil Change Interval Debate Rant

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by UnleashedBeast

Anyone ever have any trust issues with those valves?

I ran one for years on my boosted subie. Never leaked.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by zx3matt

Okay, here is my opinion on the whole oil change issue:

Despite what the manufactures tell you, and the internet, and magazines, etc. Get a good quality oil and change it often. Clean oil protects your engine. PERIOD.

If you are using a conventional oil or semi-synthetic why not use the age old 3000mi interval? The stuff is cheap! I hear all of this debate on the internet, in articles, etc. about using your oil longer, but we spend more on a tank of gas each week than on an oil change! Think about it. Why are people so desperate to extend their intervals when we go though gas like crazy (but that is okay [well, except for the price gouging])?

A freaking cartridge of printer ink costs more than an oil change!!!!

I use synthetic oil in everything. If the car has a decent oil capacity (like the Focus) for its engine size, use, and output then I change it every 5000mi and use a good quality filter (Motorcraft or Mobil-1). If the capacity is low (like my wife's Protege 5 at 3.7 quarts) I change it just like conventional oil (3000mi).

If it is a high performance vehicle that is driven often (like my old Lightning and MS3), I change the synthetic at 3000mi.

It is cheap insurance. We are not killing ourselves financially by doing so. Your car will last longer as well.

Even the "saving the environment" argument is silly...oil can be recycled!

I am not ranting at you, but just in general. I see this debate all the time, and I just don't understand it. I'm as poor as the next guy, but I have no problem spending money on oil. I see it as insurance against bigger repair bills down the road.

For what its worth, 3000 miles is overkill these days with these kinds of engines.

BMW recommends at 6000 miles, sometimes more because the engine is that good at managing everything.

Yes its only, maybe upwards of 100 a change; but unless you track your car every other day I don't see why anyone needs to swap oil every 3000 miles.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

For what its worth, 3000 miles is overkill these days with these kinds of engines.

BMW recommends at 6000 miles, sometimes more because the engine is that good at managing everything.

Yes its only, maybe upwards of 100 a change; but unless you track your car every other day I don't see why anyone needs to swap oil every 3000 miles.

BMW's are running 15,000 mile OCI's nowadays.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

BMW's are running 15,000 mile OCI's nowadays.

...

Wow. I knew they could run higher but that is downright surprising.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

...Wow. I knew they could run higher but that is downright surprising.

Yeah, pretty crazy. I can't bring myself to go that long though and usually change at 7,500.

[UnleashedBeast]

I was in Wal Mart tonight looking at the 5.1 quart containers of Mobil 1.

Extended Performance was only $2.00 more than regular Mobil 1 "synthetic". It's a no brainer.....buy Extended Performance.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by UnleashedBeast

I was in Wal Mart tonight looking at the 5.1 quart containers of Mobil 1.

Extended Performance was only $2.00 more than regular Mobil 1 "synethtic". It's a no brainer.....buy Extended Performance.

You know what I'm running in my Focus

[raptor1956]

Originally Posted by TitaniumStick

I ran one for years on my boosted subie. Never leaked.

I just ordered one. I'll get the one with the longer stem and some tubing. You'll still have to take off the felt panel to pull the filter but using the plug valve will be one less hassle to deal with. Thanks for the point guys...


Brian

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by raptor1956

I just ordered one. I'll get the one with the longer stem and some tubing. You'll still have to take off the felt panel to pull the filter but using the plug valve will be one less hassle to deal with. Thanks for the point guys...


Brian

Another reason I did one in my subie was that w/o using the tubing, I couldn't drain both pan and filter into same container. The valve allows me to place my drain pan under the filter and direct the oil pan flow to the same spot.

[Pretherius]

Originally Posted by pozi240

Better yet, just get a Pella Oil extraction pump http://www.pelaproducts.com/ and be done with it. Never jack the car up and never remove your drain plug again. Used one on all of my TDI VW's, works like a charm.

So... someone has figured out how to change the oil filter from above?