4 Cyl Oil Change intervals

[TG]

Some say using synthetics is over kill. So is the idea that we buy

20-30-40 thousand plus dollar vehicles. Overkill to use the best to
protect them?

Yes, if something significantly cheaper will protect just a well. And I
don't believe the verdict is in on what is "best". TG

 

[Jim]

engines are related to compromises being made in the oil passages to
make some miniscule gains in emissions (having to do with crankcase
ventilation). The smaller oil passages simply make the whole lube
system very sensitive to small residue buildups which turns what would
be a non-problem in a properly designed lubrication system into a
serious one in those particular engines.

(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

Sounds sort of Human like? Our arteries clog if we don't flush them or
if we eat lots of grease and fat and we break down from smaller
passages.

Jim

 

[Bill Putney]

Sounds sort of Human like? Our arteries clog if we don't flush them or
if we eat lots of grease and fat and we break down from smaller
passages.

Jim

Good analogy. Those engines have bad genes (small arteries) from
birth. 8^)

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

[blazing lazers]

the dealer is being an ass and trying to make money. 7500 for me and
after 40k+ miles, no problems noted.

 

[John O]

My dealer insists that I change the oil in my 03 OBW 4 Cyl every 3K

The folks who make money at it want 3k changes, those that don't, don't.
That tells *me* something.

-John O

 

[Edward Hayes]

I change at 5,000 mile intervals for my suburban driving as a compromise.
Subaru recommends 3,750 for some extreme usage like trailer pulling and
7,500 for normal day to day driving. If I drove in the city like Chicago I
would go for the 3,750 or 3.7 months. If most of my driving was highway and
I mean over 10 miles per cold start then I would go the 7,500. Toyota had
their own specific problem that does not in anyway relate to other engines.
eddie

 

[y_p_w]

I change at 5,000 mile intervals for my suburban driving as a compromise.
Subaru recommends 3,750 for some extreme usage like trailer pulling and
7,500 for normal day to day driving. If I drove in the city like Chicago I
would go for the 3,750 or 3.7 months. If most of my driving was highway and
I mean over 10 miles per cold start then I would go the 7,500. Toyota had
their own specific problem that does not in anyway relate to other engines.
eddie

I don't exactly split the difference, but after my first change at
3K, I'm going with another change at 6K, then every 4K (or 4 months)
after that. It's a nice round number to remember. My daily driving
is 5 miles each way to/from work with lots of lights and signs. Most
of the car's miles will be from longer drives though.

 

[Charlez]

In my opinion, it really depend on your driving condition:

Traffic driving, short trips, idling, trailler pulling, driving hard will
require shorter intervals between oil change

A few years back, they did recommend monthly oil change for the winter
month in Montreal

In my case, I procees as follow:
City driving, commuting, traffic, 3k oil and filter change
Highway driving, 3k filter change, 12k oil change
I always change my oil before and after winter

I inspect the oil on a regular basis, once it darkens or once the level
starts to drop, It is time to change it

I use Castrol syntec oil and regular oil filters

I have been doing this for the last 2 years and the car is perfect.

One last thing, I will probably try to put dyno oil sometime this years
because dino oil and synthetic oil will not dissolve the same residu so
putting dyno oil should clean my engine

 

[Kevin T]

My '04 Impreza TS just got its first change tonight. I already had 4219
miles on it, so I was running a bit late.

When I hopped into my car to leave, I noticed that the sticker listed the
next change being due at 7219 miles. Interesting to note that the
maintenance schedule furnished by the dealer at the time of sale lists
servicing every 3,750 miles.

 

[Rick Courtright]

next change being due at 7219 miles. Interesting to note that the
maintenance schedule furnished by the dealer at the time of sale lists
servicing every 3,750 miles.

Hmmmm... some psychology involved here?

4219 (oops) minus 3750 = 469 (finagle factor)

7219 minus 4219 = 3000 (aw, come on, maybe that's a little soon)

3000 plus 469 = 3469 (oh, hey, it's about time)

So maybe they figure that'll get you there at just about the right
mileage? Of all the people who CLAIM they change every 3000 miles, how
many do you suppose REALLY are that punctual (other than one slightly
obsessive lady I know who almost literally plans her trips so she can be
at her dealer when the clock ticks over another 3000?) Besides, it's a
whole lot easier to remember 3000 than 3750 if you're looking at the
odometer and pondering the next change (though I'd have probably just
put 7200--or even 7000--on the sticker back in the days I was filling
them out for customers!)

Rick