How Often Do I Need To Change My Car's Oil?

[Contrapuntal]

'98 Pathfinder, 155,000 miles, leaking a bit, 3.2 litre 4x4. I drive no more than 7,000 city miles, 0 highway miles per year.

[Lanzy]

Hmm, do you change less often because it is being topped off every now and then due to the leak?

Or fix the leak?
Then look in the owner's manual. Somewhere on the internet is a place to get replacement owner's manuals.

[Contrapuntal]

Originally Posted by Lanzy

Hmm, do you change less often because it is being topped off every now and then due to the leak?

Or fix the leak?

Too expensive. The car's a beater on it's last legs.

Then look in the owner's manual. Somewhere on the internet is a place to get replacement owner's manuals.

I found one but dang if I can find the maintenance schedule.

My shop says every 3 months but that's just about 1900 miles and that seems a bit too frequent, but I don't know if the type of driving I do factors in.

[crazyjoe]

If it's a beater on its last legs, and leaks oil, and you're not going to bother to get the leak fixed, I don't see why once a year isn't a perfect interval for oil changes. Or even never.

[Contrapuntal]

Originally Posted by crazyjoe

If it's a beater on its last legs, and leaks oil, and you're not going to bother to get the leak fixed, I don't see why once a year isn't a perfect interval for oil changes. Or even never.

It's not about not bothering. I've already spent several hundred dollars without success and the next step is replacing the valve cover gaskets with no guarantee that that will stop the leak.

I was thinking the same as you since I'm topping off at the rate of about a quart every 3,000 miles, but I didn't know if my stop and go driving was an issue.

[Dewey Finn]

Here is a PDF document from the State of California giving the oil change interval for various vehicles. It doesn't list the 1998 Pathfinder, but does list the 2000 Maxima and Altima, for which the interval is given as 3750 miles. Also see this article from the New York Times.

If I were you, I'd wait at least six months between oil changes, although if there's a leak, you should check the level periodically.

[Gary T]

My info doesn't show a 3.2 engine for a '98 Pathfinder. It's a 3.3

Factory recommended oil change interval is typical for Japanese vehicles of that era, 7500 miles for normal service and 3750 for severe service. Your driving pattern sounds like it qualifies for severe service. If it's a lot of short trips (just a few miles), 2000-3000 miles might be appropriate.

Adding fresh oil occasionally to top up doesn't make much difference. Most of the oil in the crankcase is breaking down and accumulating contaminants.

[Contrapuntal]

Originally Posted by Gary T

My info doesn't show a 3.2 engine for a '98 Pathfinder. It's a 3.3

Factory recommended oil change interval is typical for Japanese vehicles of that era, 7500 miles for normal service and 3750 for severe service. Your driving pattern sounds like it qualifies for severe service. If it's a lot of short trips (just a few miles), 2000-3000 miles might be appropriate.

Adding fresh oil occasionally to top up doesn't make much difference. Most of the oil in the crankcase is breaking down and accumulating contaminants.

I'm sure you're right about the displacement. I was quoting from memory.

Yep, most of my trips are under ten miles. Thanks for the advice.

Do you know anything about factory in dash cd players? Are they user serviceable? Mine won't eject the last cd I played.

[bump]

I'd just get some of that new high mileage oil that has seal-swell agents that might slow or stop your leak, and change it every 6 months. Make sure and get it in the right viscosity as described by your owner's manual- most likely 5w-30.

Once a year/7000 miles seems a bit long; twice a year and 3500 seems a little short mileage-wise, but better shorter than longer- it won't do any harm to go short, but it may to go long.

[SanDiegoTim]

If you live in a warm climate, a higher viscosity oil might be a good idea.

[Contrapuntal]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoTim

If you live in a warm climate, a higher viscosity oil might be a good idea.

It's warm. Central North Carolina.

[Zenja]

My car is used in similar circumstances and I've been changing the oil once a year for years. I use synthetic oil though - I would change it twice a year if it was regular oil. My car is also turbocharged and has to deal with harsh SK weather, so it's having a tougher time than yours.

Cars vary though, and yours may produce significantly more or less contaminants than mine. A good way to be sure is to do an oil analysis, but I wouldn't bother.

[gotpasswords]

Originally Posted by Contrapuntal

... the next step is replacing the valve cover gaskets with no guarantee that that will stop the leak.

Is it leaking oil from the valve covers? That should be a pretty clear yes/no situation - if it is leaking oil at the valve covers, then new gaskets should be a 100% fix.

Have you checked the PCV valve? I've seen cars look like they were perspiring oil due to a clogged PCV valve as the pressure in the crankcase wasn't being relived in the intended way, so the pressure simply squeezes oil out of seemingly every seam, seal and gasket.

[dzero]

Originally Posted by Contrapuntal

Do you know anything about factory in dash cd players? Are they user serviceable? Mine won't eject the last cd I played.

There should be a very small (period sized) button recessed in the player (or dash) near and below the slot - usually on the right.

Get a normal paperclip (not heavy duty, vinyl coated, etc). Straighten out one end.

The button may not be visible. It may appear as just a hole.

Push the wire directly into the hole (as perpendicular as possible). You should feel it hit something about 3/8" (1cm) in. Press just enough make the obstruction move. This should trip the emergency release and the drawer should crack open enough to pull it out.

[awldune]

I would change twice a year. Short trips are hard on your oil. If you were driving 7k per year on the highway once a year might be OK.

[carnut]

You should be fine with every 5000 miles or even once a year if you only put on 7000 miles a year. Check the level every 3 months though.

Do not believe the yahoos at the quick oil change places though. They regularly quote 3000 miles and the vast majority of cars recommend a higher number. They just want you coming in often.

Given the age of the car, you may want to replace a lot of the rubber bits. Those do age and dry out, which can cause the leakage you mentioned.