[oil change interval] I'm in between!

[mikemc]

I have the same situation with our '03 Cavalier. Most of its miles are from my wife driving 15 miles each way to work, almost all highway. I could probably get away with the 7.5K interval but the oil nut in me won't stand for it. I usually dump it between 3 and 4K. In fact, I just finished giving it a new filter and 5 fresh quarts of Havoline 10w30.

 

[RedWolf4000]

I have an 03' cavalier, with a 5-speed. I do alot of town driving but keep the RPM's low at most all times. I use Mobil 1 Supersyn 5w-30 and change it every 7500 miles. It does just fine. Oil looks good when i drain it too. I dont think i would do it with Dino though.

 

[New]

Hi, I have a 95 Chevy Corsica 2.2l, 100k miles using dino oil. The manual says to change the oil every 7500 miles UNLESS any of the following is true (then go for 3000 miles) 1.you frequently tow a trailer never did 2.most trips are through dusty areas nope, mostly city driving 3.most trips include extensive idling (stop & go) not sure, most trips are 7.5 miles long with 5-10 red traffic lights (out of 20-25) but the queues are short. 4.most trips are less than 5-10 miles (this is especially important when temperature is below freezing) well, here I'm in between. Most trips are 7.5 miles but temperature is seldom below freezing (like 2 weeks/year). So, what do you think? Should I go for the 7.5k miles or the 3k miles? tia NEW

 

[sewerman]

Split the difference and do 5k oci....

 

[coal68]

Yeah go with 5000 and then do an oil sample.

 

[haley10]

5K miles with a good dino.

 

[New]

10x guys, I'll go for the 5k OCI. But I cannot find any UOA lab around Vancouver, Canada. Sending the sample to Blackstone is too expensive. NEW

 

[Patman]

quote:

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Originally posted by New: 10x guys, I'll go for the 5k OCI. But I cannot find any UOA lab around Vancouver, Canada. Sending the sample to Blackstone is too expensive. NEW

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What about sending it to Ontario? Wearcheck has a location here, and it wouldn't cost you too much to send the sample via Canada Post.

 

[New]

quote:

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What about sending it to Ontario? Wearcheck has a location here

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That's a good ideea. But on the wearcheck website [products & services] there's no entry like "UOA for individuals". NEW

 

[Patman]

quote:

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Originally posted by New:

quote:

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What about sending it to Ontario? Wearcheck has a location here

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That's a good ideea. But on the wearcheck website [products & services] there's no entry like "UOA for individuals". NEW

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You can get them for yourself too, it's just that their website makes it look like they only do industrial applications. Send an email to Gloria Gonsalez there and she'll give you the info on ordering kits for your car. Her email address is [email protected]

 

[BeltwayBandit]

New, At 100k miles since 1995, I assume that you drive about 10k to 12k miles a year. My suggestion is to use a synthetic oil and change it every six months. With the miles you drive, you will be changing it about every 5k to 6k miles anyway. Every six months will make it easier to remember when to change it and you don't have to stress over whether 4800 miles is too too short and you are wasting the oil or that 7200 miles is too many miles and you are ruining your engine. The real test is if you wanted to extend it out to once a year. Then you would have to start doing UOAs to make sure that you can safely go that long. Besides, I bet when Chevy said 7500 miles they also recommended "or every six months." No worries, and enjoy the spring and fall oil changes.