Debate: How often should you change your oil?

Post by **JimBee** » 11 Feb 2013, 11:45

Here's an essay on that question. I guess I've been changing mine a bit more than necessary.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-ch ... 58&msite=w

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Feb 2013, 12:02

I do ~8000 on the Chevy (using Mobil-1) and did around 5-6000 on the S70 w/ Mobil-1. The S70 was driven much harder.

Our Toyota specifies 10,000-mile changes; though I'll probably not let it go past 8,000 either.

With that said, these 5-cylinders benefit significantly from using a synthetic oil that will not sludge up.

Post by **JRL** » 11 Feb 2013, 12:07

No, you probably haven't.
While I agree that MOST cars do not need these constant oil changes but this really does not apply to the 5 cyl Volvo.
You need to remember that this basic engine design has been around since 1992 with NO CHANGES to the oiling system.

If your oil becomes too dirty and if you don't constantly run it at high speeds (most of us don't), it WILL sludge up.
(It's the ridiculous PCV/breather, oil separating system these engines have).

If you follow a 10K oil change regiment, I will guarantee you that this engine will be thoroughly clogged up by 70,000 miles! Heck 7500 miles is too long with dino oil.

Post by **mikealder** » 11 Feb 2013, 12:40

Leaving the oil too long can also cause the PCV sump return path to block with carbon, the only effective way to clear this is by removing the sump and clearing the carbon build up from the base of the return duct in the sump, costly, messy and avoidable 5K between changes - Mike

Post by **850 LPT** » 11 Feb 2013, 12:50

JRL wrote:No, you probably haven't.
While I agree that MOST cars do not need these constant oil changes but this really does not apply to the 5 cyl Volvo.
You need to remember that this basic engine design has been around since 1992 with NO CHANGES to the oiling system.

If your oil becomes too dirty and if you don't constantly run it at high speeds (most of us don't), it WILL sludge up.
(It's the ridiculous PCV/breather, oil separating system these engines have).

If you follow a 10K oil change regiment, I will guarantee you that this engine will be thoroughly clogged up by 70,000 miles! Heck 7500 miles is too long with dino oil.

I completely agree with Jim on this. For this reason I've been changing the oil between 3500 - 4000 miles on my 850 for the last 200k. And surprisingly (or not so) the PCV system has not been clogged even after 165k when I did it for the first time. It's when you get sloppy with the oil changes you get in trouble, that's the main cause in my opinion.

Needles to say, I'm doing the same with the XC.

Dirk

bguzz · Post by **bguzz** » 11 Feb 2013, 20:34

I run M1 0W40 for 10k miles between changes. I have 2 98 S70 N/A's. one has 186k and the other has 408k (yes, 408k miles). Never an engine problem with either one. People change their oil too frequently in my opinion.

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Feb 2013, 21:22

bguzz wrote:I run M1 0W40 for 10k miles between changes. I have 2 98 S70 N/A's. one has 186k and the other has 408k (yes, 408k miles). Never an engine problem with either one. People change their oil too frequently in my opinion.

WOW. But I take it you drive an awful lot every day? If so, extended O.C. intervals make a lot of sense. Problems arise when cars are used for short trips where the oil is not allowed to ever warm to full operating temp and accumulates a lot of water.

Post by **rspi** » 12 Feb 2013, 06:44

The car I now have had oil changes every 3,000 miles before I got it. The dip stick wasn't smoking so I took my time with getting the PCV replaced. A few months after getting the car I got around to changing it and the system was clogged pretty bad. I had to find the EGR hole in the manifold and the block passages were 90% and 40% blocked. The car had about 193,000 when I replaced it.

I'm now running 10W-30 Mobile 1 high mileage oil and plan to replace the PCV every 50,000 until I see a reason not to. I'm changing the oil every 5,000 but may extend that after sending a sample to Blackstone.

Nophix · Post by **Nophix** » 12 Feb 2013, 06:55

I do about 10-12k on synth, but I get on the interstate 1 mile from home and off right in front of work. 70 miles each way with cruise locked at 72.

Oil has always been clean as a whistle and I've had it tested just to be sure. Car has 250k on it.

Unfortunately, it's sitting now waiting for a new owner, or me to have time to take care of some small issues (radiator and wheel bearing).

bguzz · Post by **bguzz** » 12 Feb 2013, 08:24

jblackburn wrote:
bguzz wrote:I run M1 0W40 for 10k miles between changes. I have 2 98 S70 N/A's. one has 186k and the other has 408k (yes, 408k miles). Never an engine problem with either one. People change their oil too frequently in my opinion.
WOW. But I take it you drive an awful lot every day? If so, extended O.C. intervals make a lot of sense. Problems arise when cars are used for short trips where the oil is not allowed to ever warm to full operating temp and accumulates a lot of water.

True for the 408k one, the others my wife's and she does lots of 20 minutes drives. Haven't noticed any issues, but maybe the oil gets fully warmed up by that time. I probably would do less frequent if I live in the city.