Oil Change Frequency
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I plan to change the oil after each time I drive the car.
But somehow only get around to changing it about once every 4,000 miles.
If I planned to change it once a year.... I'd be talking about cars/oil change
But somehow only get around to changing it about once every 4,000 miles.
If I planned to change it once a year.... I'd be talking about cars/oil change
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by JasonFRC
In my line of work I have the opportunity to tear into a lot of late model cars with the "extended" oil change intervals.
I can't begin to tell you what engine internals look like when you change your oil at 8-10 thousand miles. While very little "wear" is noticed, the amount of oil sludge (even under 50k miles) we find is enough to make you want to change your oil more often.
I spoke to a factory rep. from Volvo Cars of North America, he's the guy who got all of the "lemon" cars to repair/diagnose before they were bought back. My first question asked if he'd go by the extended intervals recommended by most auto manufacturers now. I got a chuckle and a firm No! Well, he said unless your were leasing and didn't care about the car! Probably unlikely with this group!
I ignore the DIC and change it every 3k miles. For the record, it usually reads between 40-50% remaining when I do.
I can't begin to tell you what engine internals look like when you change your oil at 8-10 thousand miles. While very little "wear" is noticed, the amount of oil sludge (even under 50k miles) we find is enough to make you want to change your oil more often.
I spoke to a factory rep. from Volvo Cars of North America, he's the guy who got all of the "lemon" cars to repair/diagnose before they were bought back. My first question asked if he'd go by the extended intervals recommended by most auto manufacturers now. I got a chuckle and a firm No! Well, he said unless your were leasing and didn't care about the car! Probably unlikely with this group!
I ignore the DIC and change it every 3k miles. For the record, it usually reads between 40-50% remaining when I do.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
My car does not have many miles on it i have the oil changed at the dealer once a year before i store it for the winter they use mobile 1 and when it is changed the dic still says the oil life is like 90% but i still change it. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Torrance CA
I usually change it when the DIC reads 35-40% left. This has been between 6-9.5k miles. It is a time thing too. I wouldn't leave it for more than 12 months, but I doubt it would ever come to that for me...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,060
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
I like to "bond" with my Vette so I change it at 2500 mile intervals or every 6 months and sometimes sooner if I get lonely... I also like to waste $ on my Vette when it comes to oil and filters...I have too many cases of Mobil one(bought 20 cases from Pep Boys at half price with the calendar coupons 
) and I need to get rid of them so I probably change it too often..... 
) and I need to get rid of them so I probably change it too often.....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,089
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Maybe around 30-40% on DIC or twice a season (April - November here)
... or sometimes in between if I'm bored and it's nice out. Opinions vary all across the spectrum on this one.
Every 2000 miles...nah, not me but do whatever you're happen with.
All the above is just general driving around; Track or use your car hard...now that's a different subject.
... or sometimes in between if I'm bored and it's nice out. Opinions vary all across the spectrum on this one.
Every 2000 miles...nah, not me but do whatever you're happen with.
All the above is just general driving around; Track or use your car hard...now that's a different subject.
Last edited by BudgetPlan1; Mar 23, 2006 at 07:41 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 2
From: Alexandria Northern Virginia
I have changed mine 3 times in less than 7K. Mostly for age but I do agree you could go 3-6000 miles safely between changes with Mobil-1.
I am interested to know how many quarts you guys use? I changed it on a lift recently and it took 6 full quarts. Seemed excessive to me but hey, what do I know right?
Cassidy
I am interested to know how many quarts you guys use? I changed it on a lift recently and it took 6 full quarts. Seemed excessive to me but hey, what do I know right?
Cassidy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Originally Posted by C4B4the04
I have changed mine 3 times in less than 7K. Mostly for age but I do agree you could go 3-6000 miles safely between changes with Mobil-1.
I am interested to know how many quarts you guys use? I changed it on a lift recently and it took 6 full quarts. Seemed excessive to me but hey, what do I know right?
Cassidy
I am interested to know how many quarts you guys use? I changed it on a lift recently and it took 6 full quarts. Seemed excessive to me but hey, what do I know right?
Cassidy
If you jack up the rear end slightly, you will get 4 ounces more oil out of it.
There are two different oil dipsticks used in C5s, early years show full at top of dipstick. Some later years show full to "half mark". Use 6.5 quarts and see where your full mark is.
Your "low oil" warning comes on a quart low, so put 5.5 quarts in, turn on ignition (not engine) and watch your "low oil" warning come on. This is your "should add" level on your dipstick.
BTW, my 1998 at 94,000+ miles does not use any oil. The color still looks good at 6,000+ miles and I change at 0% DIC. I have had an oil analysis done and it shows that I still have at least 1,000 more miles to go on oil.
I have 39K on my 01' and I change oil and filter every 3K. I guess I'm old fashioned!!!! 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Originally Posted by JasonFRC
In my line of work I have the opportunity to tear into a lot of late model cars with the "extended" oil change intervals.
I can't begin to tell you what engine internals look like when you change your oil at 8-10 thousand miles. While very little "wear" is noticed, the amount of oil sludge (even under 50k miles) we find is enough to make you want to change your oil more often.
I spoke to a factory rep. from Volvo Cars of North America, he's the guy who got all of the "lemon" cars to repair/diagnose before they were bought back. My first question asked if he'd go by the extended intervals recommended by most auto manufacturers now. I got a chuckle and a firm No! Well, he said unless your were leasing and didn't care about the car! Probably unlikely with this group!
I ignore the DIC and change it every 3k miles. For the record, it usually reads between 40-50% remaining when I do.
I can't begin to tell you what engine internals look like when you change your oil at 8-10 thousand miles. While very little "wear" is noticed, the amount of oil sludge (even under 50k miles) we find is enough to make you want to change your oil more often.
I spoke to a factory rep. from Volvo Cars of North America, he's the guy who got all of the "lemon" cars to repair/diagnose before they were bought back. My first question asked if he'd go by the extended intervals recommended by most auto manufacturers now. I got a chuckle and a firm No! Well, he said unless your were leasing and didn't care about the car! Probably unlikely with this group!
I ignore the DIC and change it every 3k miles. For the record, it usually reads between 40-50% remaining when I do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by BudgetPlan1
All the above is just general driving around; Track or use your car hard...now that's a different subject.
after every race ( auto-x ) i change the filter. after two, i change the oil and filter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by BiggieBoy
Normally once a year, but, there's been a few times when I skipped the yearly oil change. No big deal w/ Mobil 1....
Mobil1 or any synthetic turns highly acidic after a year. no matter how many miles... once the oil is introduced to combustion!!! IT is a big deal.. causing deterioration of seals and gaskets and metal etching of bearing surfaces, loss of oil pressure. I would not continue that line of thinking.