Actual vs. Planned OCI

[The Critic]

As the title states, I'm sure all of us have a "planned" oil change interval for our vehicles. But sometimes life gets in the way and we miss that intended interval.

For example, I shoot for a 5k OCI on the Saturn, but it usually works out to somewhere between 5-8k, even 10k once.

On my friend's car that I maintain, it's also on a 5K OCI, but it's usually 500 to 1500 miles overdue by the time she lets me know about it.

So, how punctual are you folks about your oil changes?

 

[ZZman]

Within a 1,000 miles usually.

 

[demarpaint]

I have 2 vehicles that OC's are done on a time basis, one is done in miles. The ones done on the time basis are always done on the month I specified. The one that is done on the mile basis would rarely see more than 200 or so miles past the limit.

Frank D

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Usually within 50 miles. Rarely it will be a few hundred miles different. One time I might have gone an extra 1000 miles but that was back when I was doing 3k mile OCI's. I'm not quite as anal as I used to be about it. A couple hundred miles wouldn't bother me now but I wouldn't go much more than that usually. I've rarely had what I'd call a "good" UOA even at 4.5-5k mile OCI's.

 

[Pablo]

I planned for one year. Looks like I'm headed for two at this point.

 

[Bill in Utah]

I'd say within 1k. If I have to get to work and then make a trip down south, just the trip plus a couple of days commute equal 1k.

The UOAs show that the oil/engine is fine.

Bill

 

[addyguy]

Like you, Critic, I 'plan' to do 5-6k OCIs'. They get done closer to 8-9k, every time.....

 

[ThirdeYe]

I plan for 4-5k and I usually get it done between there unless I'm doing ARX runs.

 

[John_K]

I actually knew a guy once who was so anal that if he hit 3k miles on his OCI he would PULL OVER AND CALL A TOW TRUCK to take the car home! Unbelievable.

John

 

[ericthepig]

I plan 10-12k - but then I start over thinking it and get nervous between 8 to 9k - rarely make 10k. But maybe this time.

 

[eljefino]

I plan for 4k but usually get in at 3500-3700 miles.

Getting the right weight in for the dead of winter is usually my motivation... Jan-Apr, Apr-Sep, Sep-Jan.

Am also motivated to try to catch my oil burner exactly down a quart at change time.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Am also motivated to try to catch my oil burner exactly down a quart at change time.

Wow, you let yours run a quart low?

I NEVER let mine run more than 1/4 quart low under my supervision.

 

[ViragoBry]

43 miles over is my record. I'm usually early due to timing of weekends.

 

[Cutehumor]

I got 8 months/4k on rotella T in my 96 sunfire so far with 2 quarts makeup. aiming for one year. stuff is black as night. as long as it's full, I'm keepin on truckin.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I plan for 5k and usually do it within 100 miles of that.

 

[webfors]

3750k miles (as per Subaru Canada's recommendation) is my planned and I expect actual to be within 1k miles of that. I don't sweat going over with SM oils, they are good for much more

 

[scoobie]

if it's summer, i can go a little over. in winter i'll go a little under. i'll err on doing it more frequently, but i also change the filter every other time, so it balances out.
my subaru calls for about 4000 - 8000 miles, depending on the type of driving, and the stresses the oil is under. it's a non turbo, so i can let it go long in the summer. in the winter, it's 9 or 10 weeks or 2500 - 3000 miles.

 

[ClarkB]

I run a 10K mile OCI and am usually within 5% of that. I would think that 10%, regardless of actual length, would be fine for most vehicles that see average service.

Clark

 

[Audi Junkie]

Part of the rationale of time-based changes for me is that it gets you out of that miles-countdown mode. Should I run 3000, 5000, 6000??? Not a problem if you are doing every 3 or 4 months. Once you decide how many oil changes a year you WANT to do a year, you can then pick a QUALITY of oil that lets you go that far. I can go anywhere from 4000-8000 miles in 4 months.

The mileage at change time in itself is just a side note for me to adjust oil quality for the anticipated miles of the next run.

On my time schedule, it messes things up for the next interval if I change before or after my planned date. Maximum there is about 2 weeks, which can be as much as 1000 miles. If I have accumulated an unexpectedly high amount of miles over an interval, I'll change a little early, maybe a week.

A good 3 month schedule is listed below, but 4 month or 6/12 month intervals should commence Dec 1 as well.


Dec
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Feb

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May

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Aug

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