Oil change interval

[Hatoshi]

The manual recommends changing the oil only every 10,000 miles or 12 months. Are they serious? Will any of you wait this long to do the oil changes? Just seems crazy to me. My BRZ has 7500 mile intervals and that seems long too. Sorry if this has already been discussed in another sub but I didn't see one here in maintenance.

 

[MCN1SMO]

im doing my first few changes at 2-3K miles. after that probably 5K max

 

[jc604]

Ill prob do one after the break in or a little after.

 

[MacCool]

10,000 miles with a good synthetic oil would be fine if the car is being driven, but since I put the car up for the winter every year, I generally do the oil change before doing so. The oil will be fine, but acidic combustion byproducts can accumulate and settle if not driven for long periods.

 

[bpeckham]

In SoCal, driving all year, I'm doing an oil change every six months.

 

[MacCool]

Absolutely no downside to changing oil more often than recommended, other than the unnecessary cost. If one doesn't mind spending the money, it won't hurt the car a bit.

 

[TheRoyalStig]

Most oil recommendations are more frequent then necessary. Hell EU recommendations for the same vehicles are always notably longer than ours.

So if the manual says 10,000 I'll gladly wait the 10,000. Synthetic oil lasts a good long time.

 

[MacCool]

Most oil recommendations are more frequent then necessary. Hell EU recommendations for the same vehicles are always notably longer than ours.

So if the manual says 10,000 I'll gladly wait the 10,000. Synthetic oil lasts a good long time.

Agreed...I don't believe that I'm smarter than the people who designed/built the engine and are on the hook for the warranty.

 

[Jah_Happy]

I just did my first change at 1500 miles and will just do mine yearly moving forward. I don't drive nearly enough to reach those recommended miles lol.

 

[bpeckham]

This video appeared in another thread with some advice as well:

https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/threads/first-sports-car.1951/post-59845

We had some problems with the oil level sensor in our Audi. It has a one-year oil change recommendation as well, which we were following. Audi service departments couldn't figure it out. Finally took it to my indie mechanic who mentioned that the one-year change interval can be too long and muck up the sensor. They recommend every six months. I switched to that schedule, and I never had another problem with the sensor.

The Audi also didn't come with a dip stick, just a plug with a pull ring where the dip stick should be. My indie mechanic was able to find a dip stick for me. It's so much nicer than depending on some flaky electronics. It's nice to see the oil level and cleanliness with your own eyes.

Sure Audi and Nissan aren't the same, but ever since that experience, I decided to go every six months on our cars.

 

[Ali023]

Mt first oil change was at 1k miles
Amsoil 5w40 with Gtr filter
Now at 2200 miles and my engine and transmission already out for new z1 bb turbos and Nismo street clutch and flywheel
And another amsoil 5w40 oil change.
car on ethanol.
Oem recommended oil is only for epa standards for better mpg.
Oem oil too thin , causes failure down the road .

 

[MacCool]

Lots of opinions on oil and drain intervals, no real objective data. Likely doesn't make much difference in stock cars in normal-duty daily driving. Cars on the track or with extensive engine mods....different story. I'm sure Amsoil would be fine for either. As I said, however...no penalty for overdoing the drain intervals....

Probably more productive to argue oil filters. Actual data available there.

 

[dkmura]

Lots of opinions on oil and drain intervals, no real objective data. Likely doesn't make much difference in stock cars in normal-duty daily driving. Cars on the track or with extensive engine mods....different story. I'm sure Amsoil would be fine for either. As I said, however...no penalty for overdoing the drain intervals....

Probably more productive to argue oil filters. Actual data available there.

Why not start a UOA thread to begin building an objective database?

 

[MacCool]

Why not start a UOA thread to begin building an objective database?

I don't feel the need to make the effort...I'm comfortable with my own choices of oil brands and drain intervals. They're different than some of the posters here, but that's OK .

 

[dkmura]

I don't feel the need to make the effort...I'm comfortable with my own choices of oil brands and drain intervals. They're different than some of the posters here, but that's OK .

Do tell- what kind of oil, filter and interval are you using/observing?