That seems pretty low for an 04

When 06's are over halfway through the model year. My 04 has nearly 26K miles.

I was paranoid, this 04 being my first new car, so I did an oil change at 1400 miles after the breaking period.

If it wasn't driven too aggresively, or the oil didn't go low, it is likely OK, though. As others have posted, the required interval can be up to 7500 miles.

 

I agree with you Cheryl, what is done is done, but there also is a time schedule too, at least there is in my Canadian Manual, I guess that's another difference with the US manual.
My only point was, the oil should be changed at least once a year unless he has taken procedures to store it away for longer.

 

No, no, no there is also a time notation in our manual. I was referring to the comment about different dealers saying different things and then someone saying that they didn't engineer the car, etc.

There is most certainly a time limit included due to the breakdown of the additives in oil in general. I *hope* that the original poster will make sure to adhear to the stated schedule from here on out.

 

+1.
You can set the navi to alert you at whatever mileage you want.
C.

 

I changed my oil at 1000 miles then again at 3000, I was paranoid about all the debris left in my oil during the break-in period

 

i changed mine at 5k...then at 10k...but im gonna change it at every 3k now...btw the car runs perfect

 

Some of your comments have really got me worried though. Hopefully everything is okay. From now on I will definately do a better job with the maintenance up keep.

Would it be advisable to just take it to the dealer or an independant shop? I would do it myself, but I don't have the time.

How about synthetic fluids?

 

I would recommend most certainly taking it to the dealer. I would tell them that you are concerned about how the engine is running and let them sort it out. Don't go in and tell them that you haven't changed the oil in that long - you don't need that noted nor do you need the attitude you are likely to get.

Another thing you need to be concerned about with a car that is driven so little is that not only will the oil age but the gas as well. Also, you need to make sure that at least once a month (might could go 2) that you take it out and run it on the highway to get it up to full temperature for a bit. It's bad for engines to sit like that regardless of oil changes, etc. They really don't like it very much.

 

Thanks for all the advice Cheryl!

Anyways, I bought this car for my wife, but she does not like driving it to work. She says her parking lot stalls are too close and afraid of getting dings. This I could understand

Maybe I should let her know that the car should be driven more often since it's not good to have it sit there. She only works 5 minutes away.

I guess I can ask to drive it once or even twice a week to work.