Sorry, for asking this, but I don't like the search part of this site. I used to change my oil every 3k miles. I use Mobil 1 by the way. But now that I'm up at college it would be like 6 months before I get 3k miles. My question is, I've heard change it every 3 months or 3k miles. Should I change my oil before I go back since it's been about 4 months and only 1500 miles.

 

I've read 6 months once, but can't remember where.

I honestly think 3 months is a bit fanatical and is just a way to keep places like Jiffy Lube in business.

What I really think is important is mileage and type of driving. City driving and short road trips require more frequest oil changes. Highway driving and long road trips require less frequent.

For me, about 75% of my driving is on open roads, so I just change my oil every 5k miles, besides its an easy number for me to remember.

I'd wait until 6 months for your next oil change. just my .02

 

the way I see it is....how much is oil? like 10-15 bucks? I change mine every 3 months or 3000 miles. if it was my car I would, I don't think your going to damage anything if you don't. but extra insurance for 10 or 15 dollars isn't that bad.

 

Every 6 months with Synthetic oil ought to be fine in my opinion.I use Mobil 1 as well, and do about 30,000 miles a year,change it every 3-5k,all my chevys have gone way past 200k so far.
-Rich-

 

My oil changes cost a little over $25. That's five quarts of mobil 1 synthetic and an ac delco filter. Since I came to school I have been doing the 3000 mile thing, but just because it's something to do when I go home. I doubt I'll keep it up.

 

I've been changing AMSOIL at 1 year or 25k miles, whichever comes first, in all my vehicles since 1983. The filter is changed at half that interval. If you follow those oil change interval recommendations, AMSOIL will cover any warranty claim you might have that is due to oil failure. I have yet to wear out an engine with AMSOIL in it, and they have yet to pay out such a claim.

A few years ago, a co-worker was buying a new truck, and called the Mobil 1 customer service asking their recommendations. They told him to change per the manufacturer's recommendations during the warranty period, then 1 year 25k miles would be fine after that. He ended up going with AMSOIL because of their wimp-out answer.

If you really want to know when you need to change your oil, you have a sample analyzed. Since that costs about the same as a synthetic oil change, you aren't risking anything by following the oil manufacturer's recommended change intervals as long as the engine is in sound mechanical condition and you aren't washing down the cylinders with a rich mixture or ignition misfire.