I'm picking up a new 06 Pontiac vibe 1.8L base model in the next day or two. The owners manual says "change engine oil every 5000 miles or 3 months" Thanks toyota! There is no GM OLM for this car. This car will put maybe 1500 miles (all highway) in 3 months since this will be our third vehicle for two of us. I never used syn before and I want to for my first ever new car. However, I do not want to void the engine warranty of 3 yr/36k miles. This is my plan: Should I A)change the break in wear after 500 miles, put trop artic dino from my stash, run it another 3000 miles to 3500 miles, change with syn, run a UOA on the 3000 batch of dino to make sure everything is fine with the new engine. Then change yearly with syn, but buy dino oil/filter every 3 months as receipt/proof. I will do yearly UOA with syn. I really don't want to dump syn at 3 months/1500 miles or dino oil for that matter! I've been doing 6 month changes with dino for at least 5 years. You maybe asking yourself "why am I buying a new car since I don't put that many miles and we each have our own car" well, my wife has been driving the same car for ten years and wants a new one. I will get pennies for her 96 sunfire on trade in. Also, my 7 year GM car earnings ($2214) are up to be used and I didn't think my 14 year old Mitsubishi mirage would still be running! It's a great problem to have, eh?