3k miles or 3months..whichever comes first?

[bmw4life13]

i always changed my motor oil every 3k miles but i drive that distance every 5months or so. i've been told various things from different mechanics. some tell me i should change the oil every three month regardless of the miles while others tell me not to worry. what do you guys think?

 

[Wadula]

my point is not to worry. i furthermore stick with the display in my car. that's it's purpose so why not listen to it!!!!

 

[Tigas Bud]

If your running synthetic then go 5000, it won't be a problem. Forget about the every 3 months as long as your running the car every 4-7 days, new oils even non-synthetics don't care how long they've been in the car.

 

[cea]

I've heard 3 months, or 3,000 miles with mineral based oil

 

[Big Daddy]

The reason they say 3/3 is that most people drive about 3k every 3 months. If you do not then it assumed that you are doing a lot of stop and go driving (city) and if that is the case change your mineral based oil every 3 months. If your using a synthetic you can go 5k, but I change my oil every three to four thousand miles with Mobil 1, a new filter and o'rings. Of course I am retired and do it myself so it's not a big deal.

 

[bmw4life13]

i don't do too much stop and go driving but i guess i should change my oil after 3 months regardless of the mileage.

 

[Bear6360]

I go with one of two things.

1. Factory specifications. Who knows better than the factory? BMW recommends 7K miles for my car, then 7K miles it is.

2. Display on dash (as stated by Count Wadula). When all my oil change indicator lights are out on my dash, I change the oil.

Piece of cake.

3K miles is an OPEC (and every marketer in that industry) scam to get you to buy more oil. Every 3K miles does not hurt, though.

 

[bmw4life13]

i definitely change my motor oil every 3k miles because i use regular motor oil and not synthetic. i do wonder if the motor oil really gets that bad after 3 months. i've checked myself and it doesn't seem too bad. i'm sure driving conditions come into play but i'm not too sure about the specifics. BTW that was a good point made by big daddy about stop and go driving.

 

[Bear6360]

Oil will lose it's viscosity after changing extreme temperatures several times. It seems awfully convenient to me that you need to change your oil every season (summer, autumn, winter, spring) which all happen to last 3 months.