# New car question-oil changes
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 31, 2001, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095 "2001-05-31T14:47:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/1 "2001-05-31T14:47:40Z")
I just bought a new Honda Civic EX with a 1.7L VTEC engine. The owners manual says to change oil after 10,000 miles and filters after 20,000 miles. Can this be so? Seems like a long time. Also, what happened to the “breakin” oil. There was a time when you did the first oil change after 500 miles under the theory that there would be metal particles generated as the engine initially wore in.
---
### Author:  [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/2 "2001-05-31T16:38:32Z")
My new car has extremely long oil change intervals too. I spoke to the service manager and he said they’ve increased oil longevity because new engines allow the oil to run cooler.
I think the ‘shavings in the oil’ thing is an old wives tale. Any particle of any size to speak of should get picked up by the oil filter.
---
### Author:  [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/3 "2001-05-31T17:06:23Z")
Wow, 10,000 miles?!?!?! Sounds kind of fishy. I always do mine (oil and filter change) after 3,000 miles or 3 months. Last I heard that was the norm.
---
### Author:  [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/4 "2001-05-31T17:17:27Z")
I also just bought a Honda Civia LX the other day and was told the same thing about oil changes. That’s not all the surprise on the servicing schedule. It said I won’t need a tune until I’ve gone 110,000 miles. That’s not a typo, that’s six figures. I said, “Who ever heard of plugs lasting that long?” He said, “These ones do!”
What’s gotten into Honda these days?
---
### Author:  [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/5 "2001-05-31T17:26:48Z")
I bought a new Jeep. The owners manual states there is no break-in oil and no need to change the oil at 500 miles.
It lists two oil change intervals:
3000 miles for a heavily used Jeep [mostly high speed, hot weather or off road use]
7500 miles for normal use.
I believe the 500 mile oil change was due to the use of different oil. The mating parts are supposed to wear on each other to get a good fit. You then change to a regular oil to prevent excessive wear. Think of the first oil and machining oil, it’s mostly there for cooling. The regular oil is for lubrication and cooling. Of course you also changed the filter, so maybe it was just to dump the first filter load of particles before it clogs up.
On the Jeep, they still had the 500 mile break in period [drive lightly], but no special oil.
---
### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/6 "2001-05-31T17:32:06Z")
Damn, they must’ve improved things the last few years, my 1998 Civic EX says to change the oil every 7,500mi, and the plugs every 30K, IIRC. I do my changes every 5,000, makes it real easy to remember when I need a change, and I can figure that I won’t accidentily go too long between changes.
In your case, I would feel _perfectly_ comfortable following the recommendation of the owners manual, Honda knows their cars better than anyone else.
---
### Author:  [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/7 "2001-05-31T18:47:11Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Jomo Mojo \*
> \*\*I also just bought a Honda Civia LX the other day and was told the same thing about oil changes. That’s not all the surprise on the servicing schedule. It said I won’t need a tune until I’ve gone 110,000 miles. That’s not a typo, that’s six figures. I said, “Who ever heard of plugs lasting that long?” He said, “These ones do!” \*\*
Just a word to the wise: The plugs may in fact last that long, but if you wait until 110,000 mi. to loosen them, you’ll NEVER get them out. It’s not a bad idea to remove them every 40K or so, wipe the threads with a WD40 rag and put them back in.
---
### Author:  [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/8 "2001-05-31T20:36:57Z")
My new Peugeot turbo diesel car has the first oil change at 6000 miles and then every 12000 miles after that, or every 12 months ,whichever is the sooner. There is a reminder on the electronic odometer so you don’t forget about this.
---
### Author:  [@catmandu42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catmandu42)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/9 "2001-05-31T22:33:11Z")
The oil change interval has indeed been lengthened these dats, mostly due to improved engine design and better quality oil and oil filters. Users of synthetic oils can probably tack on an additional 1000 miles to whatever it is, and still be safe.
---
### Author:  [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/10 "2001-05-31T22:53:34Z")
Tom and Ray at Car Talk are of the opinion that changing the oil every 3,000 miles is overkill (and a waste of money) in most modern cars. The say in [this column](http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/April/08.html) that they have been recommending 5,000 for years, and that 7,500 is probably fine these days.
Of course, the primary source for an oil change interval should be the Owner’s Manual. If you feel you’ve a good reason to do something different, then by all means go ahead. My feeling is that the Owner’s Manual intervals are likely slightly _conservative_, and that the 3,000-mile line is being propagated because (a) it used to be necessary, and (b) notice who’s doing the propagating - oil companies and oil-change joints. Most sources I have seen that aren’t _trying to sell you oil_ recommend intervals longer than 3,000.
[Here](http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/1996/February/10.html) is a column in which Tom and Ray echo **Labdad** ’s advice: after 100,000+ miles, the plugs may be permanently stuck so you should back them out every 30,000 miles or so to keep the threads from freezing.
---
### Author:  [@partly\_warmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/partly_warmer)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2001, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/11 "2001-05-31T23:14:52Z")
Check the color of your oil every month. When it’s noticably un-golden, it’s about time to change. When you can’t see through it at all, e.g. it’s black, it’s past time to change.
The advantage to this method is that it adapts to how much use you actually put on the engine. For example if you drive a lot in dirty conditions, or drive your car hard, oil is going to get dirty much faster than if you live in a very clean area, use only expensive gas, keep your car tuned, and don’t gun it at stop signs.
---
### Author:  [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/12 "2001-06-01T00:07:02Z")
I recall reading someplace (sorry!) that there were basically two ways in which engine oil can get to a state that requires changing. One is for it to accumulate too much crap, and the other is for the additives to break down.
It’s pretty easy (I think) for somebody to look at oil and tell whether it’s got lots of stuff in it. Like **partly\_warmer** said: golden = good; black = bad.
The additives, I’d think, are harder to visually diagnose. I was led to understand that these additives are pretty important to the oil’s ability to do its various jobs, and that once they start to go, so should the oil.
If it so happens that additive breakdown and sludge buildup happen at about the same rate, or if sludge accumulates faster, then we’re fine: if it looks good, it _is_ good.
How about, though, if the oil is still clean, but is chemically “shot” due to additive breakdown? How likely is this possibility?
---
### Author:  [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2001, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/13 "2001-06-01T00:15:35Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by partly\_warmer \*
> \*\*Check the color of your oil every month. When it’s noticably un-golden, it’s about time to change. When you can’t see through it at all, e.g. it’s black, it’s past time to change.
>
> The advantage to this method is that it adapts to how much use you actually put on the engine. For example if you drive a lot in dirty conditions, or drive your car hard, oil is going to get dirty much faster than if you live in a very clean area, use only expensive gas, keep your car tuned, and don’t gun it at stop signs.
> \*\*
Better yet, get a car that keeps track of how many miles you drive, how fast you drive it, how hard you drive it, and the temperatures you drive it, and will will automatically tell you when to change the oil. Okay, it costs a bit more, but if you’re changing your oil every 3,000 miles, you can afford $30+ big for a better car!
---
### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2001, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/14 "2001-06-01T00:19:36Z")
I remember a Consumer’s Report test from a few years ago. They checked oil breakdown/engine wear/whatever in NY City taxicabs. Their conclusion: there was no difference between changing your oil at 3000 or 6000 miles. My conclusion: I change my oil in my old flivver every 6000 miles. If I could afford a new one, I would love to do it every 10K.
---
### Author:  [@partly\_warmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/partly_warmer)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2001, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/15 "2001-06-02T05:43:52Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by samclem \*
> \*\*I remember a Consumer’s Report test from a few years ago. They checked oil breakdown/engine wear/whatever in NY City taxicabs. Their conclusion: there was no difference between changing your oil at 3000 or 6000 miles. My conclusion: I change my oil in my old flivver every 6000 miles. If I could afford a new one, I would love to do it every 10K. \*\*
It’s an interesting data point, as they say. Maybe NY cabbies are so abusive to their cars it doesn’t make any difference what’s done to the oil?
Even if extra grime does not = extra wear (which I find hard to believe, really) there’s always one last little thing, which is a car runs more smoothly after an oil change, and I like that feeling.
---
### Author:  [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2001, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-car-question-oil-changes/67095/16 "2001-06-02T06:09:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Amp \*
> \*\*Wow, 10,000 miles?!?!?! Sounds kind of fishy. I always do mine (oil and filter change) after 3,000 miles or 3 months. Last I heard that was the norm. \*\*
Yeah, the Jiffy Lube norm. I daresay they do better business telling people to come back after 3,000 miles, rather than at 5,000 miles.