Who else changes their oil round about - NOW.

[uart]

It's the last week of Autumn here and presumable the last week of spring in the northern hemisphere. Does any else like to choose somewhere about the last week of autumn/spring for their 6 monthly oil changes.

BTW. I've got six months and 14,000 km on the oil right now, which is a bit more than normal for me. I was changing it every 10,000 km but last year I decided to take it out to every six months regardless of the km's.

 

[IndyIan]

I'm doing exactly what you are doing now, one change in spring to some conventional HDEO and one change in fall to some synthetic for winter.
I guess if we did a 8,000km road trip in the summer I might change it out early, but we do about 20,000km/per year/per car so a 6 month change makes sense.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: uart
It's the last week of Autumn here and presumable the last week of spring in the northern hemisphere. Does any else like to choose somewhere about the last week of autumn/spring for their 6 monthly oil changes.

I do annual changes on the 530i... usually just before winter.

By the way, last week of Spring in the northern hemisphere would be June 12-18.

 

[uart]

Quote:
By the way, last week of Spring in the northern hemisphere would be June 12-18.


That's pretty weird. I'd assumed it would just be the opposite of here.

We just go by whole 3 month periods. As in :

{Dec Jan Feb} = Summer
{Mar Apr May} = Autumn (Fall)
{Jun Jul Aug} = Winter
{Sep Oct Nov} = Spring

 

[Jim 5]

I always thought spring would be a good time if you have chosen an annual oil change.

This way you run the oil through spring, summer, autumn and winter (the worst season on oil in northern NA).

All the fuel dilution, condensation/acid built up over the winter removed by oil change right after that season is over. My own opinion is that for an annual oil change, just before winter would actually be the worst of all worlds. What's your reasoning Pete?

 

[Cristobal]

I live on the Southern California coastal plain. I usually change oil about now as the hot weather will come very soon. I will change again around November when the cold and wet weather comes. I drive up to the deserts in Nevada and it gets REALLY cold in parts of that region starting in November.

 

[uart]

Quote:
My own opinion is that for an annual oil change, just before winter would actually be the worst of all worlds. What's your reasoning Pete?


I'm not doing annual changes, but my guess would be that it's to have fresh oil that you're confident hasn't oxidize thickened, and that you're confident still has plenty of antiwear additives, for the worst season - Winter.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: uart
That's pretty weird. I'd assumed it would just be the opposite of here.

We just go by whole 3 month periods. As in :

{Dec Jan Feb} = Summer
{Mar Apr May} = Autumn (Fall)
{Jun Jul Aug} = Winter
{Sep Oct Nov} = Spring


I'm just going by the commonly used here astronomical calendar:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season#Astronomical

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
My own opinion is that for an annual oil change, just before winter would actually be the worst of all worlds. What's your reasoning Pete?

Well, you do make valid points.

My reasoning for doing it just before winter is that you want the best oil (fresh) for the toughest conditions, which is winter, IMO. Things like fuel dilution and vapor condensation will get burned off if you drive enough. The couple of used oil analysis that I've done don't seem to indicate any problems with this approach.

 

[bullwinkle]

I usually change oil in my trucks that haul heavy loads or tow around now (if they don't get driven enough to get it more often)-because I want max viscosity protection for the hot summer months (& they're diesels), and if some shear occurs, then they'll be easier to start in winter. Although my son's old 300D gets changed in fall with syn for easier winter starting, and gets topped up with dino in hot weather.

 

[ahoier]

Sounds like a good idea to change it out after those harsh winter months

During the Winter months is generally when I add MMO to the oil as well, just to help with those ~40-75oF (laugh, lol - i live in Florida....) cold starts, well, that is, if you can consider that "cold" hehehe.

 

[The Critic]

The Nissan is due for a change. I generally do six month intervals on that car since it only sees 5-6k/yr.

 

[30valve]

I do the same. In winter I change just b4 the snow falls. Nothing worse than sliding under a wet, cold car to change the oil after the snow has started to fall. Also gets the nice fresh oil in there for the harsh winter.

The spring change usually coincides with the start of baseball season. No more snow(usually), listen to the game on the radio, some beers, and fresh oil for the summer heat.

This about 6 mo. change works out pretty well as my wife's twin turbocharged car will have 5k-6k miles on the syn oil, and my car will have about 10k highway miles on the syn oil.

 

[wallyuwl]

On the Vibe I usually change in mid to late October and late March or early April. Each OCI is usually about 6.5k miles, 80%+ hwy. Recently switched to Synpower from Durablend and a few runs of Maxlife.

Been doing 6k runs on the Equinox with either M1 or Mobil conventional, depending. This vehicle sees a bit more mileage so I don't have a time frame, I go by mileage.

Going by mileage, and the mileage I do, works well because it is sort of a reminder to rotate the tires at that time, too.

 

[SwampDweller]

Amen, when the 90 degree days start, I have a few that get their yearly OC. The vette got it last week with the Valvoline VR1 deal(thanks guys), the generator gets OC(Pennzoil 30) and tank drain and fill. Next week will be the Riding mower with T6.....all good to go another year.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: uart
Quote:
My own opinion is that for an annual oil change, just before winter would actually be the worst of all worlds. What's your reasoning Pete?


I'm not doing annual changes, but my guess would be that it's to have fresh oil that you're confident hasn't oxidize thickened, and that you're confident still has plenty of antiwear additives, for the worst season - Winter.


That's my logic as well.

 

[subiedriver]

My oil gets changed every 4.5 month's, that's how long it takes me to rack up 7000 miles.

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: 30valve
I do the same. In winter I change just b4 the snow falls. Nothing worse than sliding under a wet, cold car to change the oil after the snow has started to fall.


Yeah I totally know what you mean. I'm fortunate enough to have pretty mild winters here, but I still like get my winter oil change in while the weather's still nice.

Winter "officially" starts here next week, but for now day time temperatures are still getting up around 18C (65F). I'm hoping for some nice sunny weather some time over the weekend to do both cars. Yeah it's definitely better laying under the car when it's not freezing cold.

 

[M1Accord]

You guys are changing your oil way too often. I get a best oil M1 has to offer and change it out some where between 8-12 months when I can get around to it. I highly doubt that my driving condition requires OCI more frequent than that since my mileage comes about to be about 10k miles.

 

[uart]

Quote:
You guys are changing your oil way too often. I get a best oil M1 has to offer and change it out some where between 8-12 months when I can get around to it. I highly doubt that my driving condition requires OCI more frequent than that since my mileage comes about to be about 10k miles.


I don't know about that. The oil I'm using costs less than half that of M1 and I'm racking up almost 9000 miles in 6 months. So if anything I'd say I'm doing more per $ of oil than yourself.