i don't drive my car very often so i never reach the 3,750 miles point before i'm past the date for my next oil change. my question is, which is the more appropriate date to get an oil change by the recommended date or by the miles. i drive a max 2000 miles in 3 months, usually less. thanks in advance

 

They are both important. It also depends on the type of driving you do in 3 months. If it's mainly highway then you could wait a month longer and go to 3750. If it's mostly city I'd change it at the 3 month interval. Your other option is to go with synthetic and change every 5k. No science to that just a nice round number (manual recommends 3750 for hard driving, 7500 for easier driving, and synthetic allows even longer intervals).

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
PS2 and Headrest Monitors Thread

 

It depends on your driving habits. Short stop-n-go trips are actually harder on the engine than longer trips, so if you're not driving the car for more than 15 minutes at a time, I'd go with the 3 month interval. If the engine doesn't reach full operating temperature and stay there for awhile (it takes about 15 minutes just to get there) then it can't burn off water condensation and other junk that accumulates in the oil when the car is sitting.

Or you can look into synthetic oil, such as Mobil 1. That would let you safely stretch the time and mileage to 6 months or 7500 miles. Synthetics have a better additive package than regular oil and can neutralize more acids and junk before needing replacement.

 

thanks for the advice, i'll probably change over to synthetic my next oil change

 

I average about 3k per 3 months and get my oil changed every 3 months regardless. One way to look at it is, "how can new oil hurt?" It maybe a hassel to bring your car, but if you want to take advantage or the dealer, tell them that something rattles and you get a loaner =). (I REALLY DO have rattles)