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How long on your oil changes?

My 2007 BMW went about 11,000 between services, my 2011 looks like its going to go 15,000. I don't get-it, but I assume they know what they are doing...
 
Have been running around 8 months and 4k miles on a change in my truck. Truck is used for towing, sees a bit of idling and shorter trips so the oil has higher hours vs miles. Plus for such a large engine it don't hold a lot of oil. Mileage is really a poor way to determine OCIs anyway, going by hours is far better.

My 2007 BMW went about 11,000 between services, my 2011 looks like its going to go 15,000. I don't get-it, but I assume they know what they are doing...

How much oil does it hold? BMW usually puts a good size oil pan on so it holds a good amount of oil vs engine size. Plus their oil monitoring system is quite good on the BMW.
 
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I change the 5W-20W oil in my Ram pickup every 6000 miles as recommended by the factory, and since it has a lifetime drivetrain warranty I'll keep it that way.
But I previuosly had always tried to do them every 3000 miles or so the old school way when oils were just oil.
 
09 silverado 5.3L - every 5-6k with whatever oil the local Merlin shop puts in it. The truck's computer is programed for 6k intervals, so I went with their suggestion.
 
6.7 Cummins every 5-6k when the computer tells me too...my older 5.9's without all the emissions crap would go 8k or so and the analysis still came back good but I would go ahead and change it anyway. I've always used Delo 400.
 
Royal Purple every 12-15k on my 03 4runner. According to the one of the chemists I know from RP, you can easily go 20k. he said 12-15 is a good target though and that the oil filter is typically more important and the one thing most don't pay attention to. Many less than reputable quick lube either don'e change them, or use cheap ones. It was stressed to me to always use a good quality oil filter.

My favorite is the dirty air filter routine all the quick lube places pull on you. Years back, I told the guy not to worry and he kept arguing. I took the folder, banged it on the counter a few times, then handed it back to him and said "good as new, no put it back in please".
 
I go by the DIC Oil life percentage thingy on my HHR. With that said I change it about twice a year or every 6k-ish.
 
My favorite is the dirty air filter routine all the quick lube places pull on you. Years back, I told the guy not to worry and he kept arguing. I took the folder, banged it on the counter a few times, then handed it back to him and said "good as new, no put it back in please".
Ha! I "cleaned" my air filter that same way last night..."thumbsup"
 
How much oil does it hold? BMW usually puts a good size oil pan on so it holds a good amount of oil vs engine size. Plus their oil monitoring system is quite good on the BMW.


My 1987 BMW 325 holds a little over 4.5 quarts on a 2.7L straight six. I use as I posted earlier the Rotella T 15-40, I've read it has a high zinc content and is good for the older engines. Anything lighter and the engine seems to drink it. Maybe it just needs a rebuild, some day anyway.

Oh and the monitoring system only involves a level sensor down on the pan and the PSI switch on the block.
 
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I think the oil change interval depends mostly on the vehicle and usage.

I was a die-hard 3K/3 month guy for a long time, but I've leaned more towards this philosophy over the past few years. I also believe the old 3K/3 month belief is outdated.
 
Thats the way I always felt too.
But when we bought our new Ram, I could'nt belive it used 5W/20W oil :shock:, thats like running on sewing machine oil, and the bearing clearances are so tight on these newer engines that a straight 30W or 40W oil would overheat the bearings and cause the motor to seize.


I was a die-hard 3K/3 month guy for a long time, but I've leaned more towards this philosophy over the past few years. I also believe the old 3K/3 month belief is outdated.
 
around 4k on my firebird and 5-6k on my 4runner with mobil1 synthetic. (0-40w for the firebird, 5-30w for the 4runner)

my zuk i change out about every 3-4k with cheap castrol 5-30.
 
My 1987 BMW 325 holds a little over 4.5 quarts on a 2.7L straight six. I use as I posted earlier the Rotella T 15-40, I've read it has a high zinc content and is good for the older engines. Anything lighter and the engine seems to drink it. Maybe it just needs a rebuild, some day anyway.

Oh and the monitoring system only involves a level sensor down on the pan and the PSI switch on the block.

That is an old BMW. I figured he has a newer model.
 
Last summer I changed engines 3 times averaging about 500 miles per fill & filter. :lol:

This engine is holding up strong so it gets changed about every 5k or so. I use standard valvoline. You couldn't pay me to run pennzoil or royal purple... Pennz is or was paraffin wax based and would leave the nastiest deposits under valvecovers and in lifter valleys I've ever seen. Royal purple is horse piss. I should send them an email thanking them for allowing me to build a new engine for my old wheeler. That 22re was just worn out after a whopping 127k actually everything was great except the bearings. :lol: Got a deal on royal purple for $1 a quart and it cost me an engine within 20 miles. Not such a good investment.


Using good oil is one thing but the filter is far more important imo. I see fram mentioned, I'm guessing no one that has ran one has ever cut one open. If you do you're a fool and deserve what you get. For me its wix, I can get them for less than a fram and I trust them.


Words of wisdom from dad:

"Oil and filters are cheap and quick to change, engines are expensive and time consuming to replace so don't be dumb."
 
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3-5k max. You guys going 10k+ are playing Russian roulette with your bearings, good luck.... :ror:
 
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