The never ending debate: Should you change your oil based on age or mileage? (2024)

05-22-2015, 06:00 PM

Google

Many articles or contributions online refute OEM claims that one should change their oil every 4 months or 8000 KM (or whatever the manufacturer recommends) due to many factors like how newer oils especially synthetic oil have longer life properties.

Since many new car manufacturers are using premium or synthetic oil, the engine oil lasts longer and can be changed less often without any increased engine wear or damage. Some cars like Hondas have indicators when you should change your oil and from what I understand, they are typically based on mileage, not age.

However, many OEM recommendations especially dealer service department recommendation typically do not reflect the advancement in synthetic oil and continue to tell people that you should change your oil every 4 months if you don't reach the recommended kilometer interval. In contrast, many non dealer service departments or indy speciality shops like Goodyear are telling their customers to change your oil at least once a year or by the recommended kilometer interval.

Of course, people are afraid that if they don't go with what the manufacturer recommends, they will lose their warranty. Kia has that disclaimer in their service manual.

So the question again is when do you change your oil? Is it based on how much you drive or if you drive very little, do you change based on age?

05-22-2015, 07:13 PM

Canadianbacon

Every 4 months/8000 at dealership for $47

05-22-2015, 07:32 PM

Johns 08 3 GT

If you have a car within warranty then you should follow the manufacturer specifications.

Is the price of a oil change worth fighting if something goes wrong?

Also Mazda has some of the cheapest OEM synthetic oil changes.

05-22-2015, 07:47 PM

natspriceless

I've always hit the "OR BY xxxxx kms" months before the recommended date and done oil changes based on that...always synthetic

05-22-2015, 08:13 PM

jswift79

haha i just changed my oil today at 49k kms

the last time i changed my oil was in November 20-ish, 2014 at 43k kms. the manual calls for 7000 kms intervals. It's already 6months, the oil was dark (no chemist), and didnt want to wait any longer

used Mobil1 0w20 and a mazda oil filter

See Also

The Reincarnation Of Wind PDF, Epub DownloadDoes It Worth - [PDF Document]"Pre-medication", or how to sell $5 worth of generic drugs for $600,000!Development and Quality Characteristics of Corchorus olitorius Leaves Incorporated Instant Chutney Powders

05-22-2015, 09:15 PM

Google

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswift79

haha i just changed my oil today at 49k kms

the last time i changed my oil was in November 20-ish, 2014 at 43k kms. the manual calls for 7000 kms intervals. It's already 6months, the oil was dark (no chemist), and didnt want to wait any longer

used Mobil1 0w20 and a mazda oil filter

Many write-ups say you should change your oil at least once a year, so you should be fine. lol.

05-23-2015, 10:46 AM

Squisher

I think it's best to just wait until you develop a leak, then you can just constantly add a bit of new oil so that your oil always stays 'fresh'.

05-23-2015, 11:37 AM

Dreamliner

I do it based on mileage. My sticker says 60K - May. I'll be at 60K by early June so I'll wait.

05-23-2015, 03:43 PM

TheDeeJoseph

Due to an engine and transmission warranty, I have to change mine on which ever condition is met first (time or mileage). I would prefer to do it based on mileage as I run synthetic, or at least once a year if the mileage is not met because not every year may warrant the same mileage.

I feel its good to have both measures in place.

06-22-2015, 04:36 PM

Turbospeed_3

i change mine every 6000km or 3 months supposedly your oil starts to break down after that period of time and is not lubricating your motor as well as it should

06-22-2015, 04:45 PM

Kontra

every 6000km? that does not sound like a lot, are you sure that's the case? Anywhere we can verify that the oil after that period does not lubricate the engine as well as it should? Which oil do you use?

06-22-2015, 05:05 PM

Turbospeed_3

by the time i get to 8000km for my synthetic oil change its not very nice looking feeling or smelling its not as slick as it was when new. i find at 6000km its just getting crappy so i change it then(owner preference) and for the oil breaking you can find online that over time and use oil gets worn down and loses it lubrication properties as well sludge is going to start to form probably not at 3 months but over time and driving and depending on how much you drive aswell.but it doesnt just all of a sudden break down in one day and its garbage it just starts around then and only continues to get worse. at the end of the day you should neglect your motor from its oil change only going to cause sludge and vanish in your motor. im trying to find the write up about engine oil i read a while back when i do ill post it

06-22-2015, 05:06 PM

Turbospeed_3

as well i use amsoil

06-22-2015, 06:02 PM

Kontra

Cheers man, don't get me wrong not saying that you are making the stuff up, I would just like to find out a bit more since this is the first time I hear someone changes oil that early.

06-23-2015, 08:30 PM

Turbospeed_3

no worries man all good

06-24-2015, 08:32 AM

Booter22

4 months or 8k if under warranty. most mazdas after 2011 run 0w20 synth anyway so if they reco that then you should do it. @Google if you want to stay in warranty anyway. now I am out of warranty on my 2010 so Id be lucky to do 8k in 6 months. so I change every 6 months or the 8k and do it in the spring and in the fall. if the winter is harsh I throw one in between the fall and spring service.

changing the oil more, is better for the car and less harmful then leaving it and changing it later. all to save $50. not really worth it if you ask me.

06-24-2015, 09:30 AM

Johns 08 3 GT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booter22

changing the oil more, is better for the car and less harmful then leaving it and changing it later. all to save $50. not really worth it if you ask me.

This.
:thumbsup

06-24-2015, 09:55 AM

staax

Within warranty - follow schedule.

Out of warranty - change between 8-10k kms if using synthetic or at least once a year.

Doesn't matter which brand you use especially if its a synthetic. Oil has come a long way.

06-28-2015, 02:11 PM

Google

^ in other words, within warranty follow months or mileage, whichever you reach first? after warranty runs out, then go by mileage only?

06-28-2015, 06:10 PM

staax

Yes.

Because any oil you buy today isn't going to break down in 4 months. Just a money grab to do it every 4 months.

10-06-2015, 01:13 AM

Jabb

I do about 1500km per month....I just wait till I hit the 8k mark, usually about every 5 months