Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: Garyd
Yes, my Element has a computer "maintenance minder" but it always works out to around 5k when it calls for an oil change and that is what the manual calls for as well. The manual does't call for Synthetic or a Synthetic blend, it just calls for a quality 5w-20 oil. I've actually been somewhat nervous about even the 5k OCI's because I was always a 3k/3month OCI guy but I figured that with the Synth blend, the 5k was OK. I was then curious if with the Synth blend I could have been going even a little longer, like to 7.5k OCI.
Maybe, depending on the driving conditions. If it's all highway miles, long trips, easy on the engine you may even be able to do 10k on a syn blend. OTOH, city-style driving is harder on the engine, so even 5k might be a lot.
I've seen an 08 Civic's minder vary from 4000 miles to 7000 (owner got a different job with a longer commute, but the highway driving is easier on the car).
What are your driving conditions like?
Also, different syn blends may have differing amounts of synthetic in them. For example, Pennzoil Gold is "at least 50%" synthetic, while Motorcraft is around 60% syn. I think Maxlife is around 30% syn, but this was before they changed it to meet dexos. Some of the "dino" could be upto 30% syn as well. Cheap Smitty's at Kmart is 10% Group IV.
I drive about 50/50 highway/city, which is (i guess) why my maintenance minder always alerts at around 5k.