next noob question: How often should I change my oil? Topic is solved

[utilityaudio]

Hi Folks,
how often should I plan on changing my oil? I have found a few threads, but the information varies widely to say the least, anywhere from every 3k/6Mo, to 10k+/12Mo

I have a '98 S70, with ~74k, I just had my oil changed at 73k, I got Synthetic but I have no idea what the previous owner(s) used.
I don't normally drive it much, usually only a couple days a week, but when I do drive it's usually 30 minutes or more each way, and a good portion is Highway driving. and for Thanksgiving, I did nearly 1k round trip.

Thanks!

[abscate]

oil change intervals (OIC) are the sex, politics and religion of car Fora - and cause many fights.

Volvo recommends 5000 mile/ 6 month intervals for your car (check handbook to make sure I have this right) for normal service. Your service sounds very normal to me - getting it warmed up, highway usage.

With synthetic, you can go to 7500 miles comfortably. I have two cars that run about 7500 miles every two years, so I change them every two years, but make sure to get these hot every week.

You really should do this yourself - its good to get under and in touch with the beast.

You can't tell how good oil is by looking at it. It will look dirty quickly - the only way to assess it reliably is an outfit like Blackstone.

[utilityaudio]

oil change intervals (OIC) are the sex, politics and religion of car Fora - and cause many fights.

Volvo recommends 5000 mile/ 6 month intervals for your car (check handbook to make sure I have this right) for normal service. Your service sounds very normal to me - getting it warmed up, highway usage.

With synthetic, you can go to 7500 miles comfortably. I have two cars that run about 7500 miles every two years, so I change them every two years, but make sure to get these hot every week.

You really should do this yourself - its good to get under and in touch with the beast.

You can't tell how good oil is by looking at it. It will look dirty quickly - the only way to assess it reliably is an outfit like Blackstone.

Thanks, I'll double check my owners manual and Haynes once it arrives. 5k/6mo should be pretty manageable, especially with a buffer up to 7500 since I plan on continuing to use synthetic.

I really wish I could do simple car maintenance myself, unfortunately I don't have the space or tools to do so... although hopefully my wife and I will be moving out of our apartment building into a house in the next year or two and I'll be able to set myself up with some workspace. I've done plenty of oil-changes, tuneups, and brake jobs when I lived with my parents, and I actually miss it to some extent.

[abscate]

Owners manuals for Volvos are also all online, too. Free!

[utilityaudio]

sorry, after re-reading what I wrote, I was unclear. I have an owner's manual, waiting for the Haynes to arrive (although iPd called me about my order, so hopefully it'll be here soon).

[cbburtraw]

Is it a turbo model?

If so, seriously, don't stretch oil change intervals. Run synthetic and change every 5000 miles.

The turbos run hot and since they have engine oil running through them, they turn oil into goop over time.

Had an S70 with a bad rod knock since the PO didn't change the oil often enough.


Non Turbo - do what I did with my last naturally aspirated car - just change seasonally with synthetic (slightly thinner in winter, thicker in summer, if you have seasons where you're at. I life in MI). Or, 7500 - 8000 miles.

[dyn blin]

You're going to get a bunch of advice. All of it supported by individual success, comfort and experience- here's mine FWIW:

For every used car we've purchased (and there's been quite a few with 4 kids and their father being a chronic tinkerer): The first item is to change out the oil & filter with a high-mileage formulation of synthetic. At 1500 miles I leave the oil in and change the filter. If the previous owner ran conventional, or neglected the OCI, the new oil will dislodge much of the sludge, and it will be evident when you cut the filter. If there's a lot of sediment, I'll change the rest of the oil, and do so again at 2500 more miles. After that change, things have usually stabilized, and I'll go to 5000.

I'm comfortable with a 5000 OCI. On occasion, I'll send a sample to Blackstone Labs, and they'll supply a report showing findings in the oil, and recommend an interval. Their recommendation is often in excess of the 5000 OCI, but based on conversations with Mobil 1 technicians, 5k is where I'm comfortable the detergents and seal conditioners have reached their useful life, and the turbo hasn't sheared the oil to a too-thin level.

All of our cars (including turbos) last substantially past 100k, and almost all well into 200k, and couple have gone 400k+. I'm on the downhill side to 300k in our latest Volvo, a 97 GLT.

That said, I have mates that go to 7500, and one to 15000 regularly with synthetic extended performance formulations with no evident ill effect. (I make them buy the beer on outings with the savings).

[cn90]

Owner's manual recommendation is one thing, the real world experience is another thingy.

This is my routine:
- Summer: Synthetic 10W30
- Winter: Synthetic 5W30

I do 50-50 city-hwy mix, I chnage the oil + oil filter (Mann or Mahle or Bosch) every 4K-5K.
I personally think 7.5K change interval is pushing it.

Just google "Larry Carley oil change", and you will see what I mean.

[abscate]

I do 15000 mile intervals on the BMW, 150k miles, no burning/leaking. It's got a bigger sump than the Volvo.

Blackstone is the only real data if you want guidance for your use. I do think a lot of enthusiasts dump,good oil into the recycle bin

[polskamafia mjl]

I do 15000 mile intervals on the BMW, 150k miles, no burning/leaking. It's got a bigger sump than the Volvo.

Blackstone is the only real data if you want guidance for your use. I do think a lot of enthusiasts dump,good oil into the recycle bin

+1

The right answer right here.