Well, I usually do oil changes every 3000 miles without fail. But many folks tell me I can go at least 5000 miles between changes on regular oil with my driving habits. I'm leary.

I use Castrol GTX 5w-30 and have been for years and years with no engine drama. I commute 125 miles a day, 5 days a week. I have 146,000 miles on my Accord. Do you all think I can get away with 5000 mile instead of 3000? It's all highway miles and very little city street driving. I change my own oil all the time and tired of doing it once a month.

I drive 3100 miles a month roughly. Thoughts?

 

do u mash?

 

Well I change my oil when my maintenance light comes on.
Frankly, I change it when i feel like it. Sometimes I drive 3,000, sometimes 8,000, or even 10,000.......the latest one, my maintenance light actually stayed on.
So I was like let me get my oil changed.

 

That's stupid if you use regular oil. That's all I'm going to say about that.

As for whether or not you can get away with 5k on regular oil, I wouldn't bother risking it. You may be able to, but oil breaks down and doesn't protect as well after time. Considering you commute 125 miles a day (even if it is just highway mileage) that oil gets pretty beat up after 3k. I wouldn't risk it. Castrol 5w30 isn't expensive (I used that before I switched to synthetic) and if you REALLY want to save money you could change your filter every other time.

 

but city driving is more harsh on the engine so that is when u need to change motor oil like me. but commuting shouldnt be too bad as long as he doesnt cruise at 100.

 

Consumer reports did a review a few years back of how the oil looked and etcetcetc of 3,000, 5,000 and 8,000 miles. In a nutshell they said the difference between 3K and 5K was negligible, but anything past 5 is risking it. Personally, I try to do it every 4K.

 

I do it every 3 to 4K...I think it depends on A.How hard you drive the car B. what kind of oil is in it

 

same... 3k-4k with mobil synthetic blend. and i do mash the pedal from time to time.

 

I use only Castrol Syntec 5w30 or better ones...

I change every 5000 to 7000 miles.

When I first got my car, I changed the oil at 1500 miles at very first time, and then I changed every 3000~5000 miles..

and since I started use the Syntec oils, I change every 5000~7000 miles.

however, I always check my oil level... especially after a racing or a some kind of long road trip.

 

:werd: I agree, 3100 miles a month is crazy mileage and with an aging car such as a '92 (going on 13yrs. old) why risk saving a few bucks and chance the longevity of your engine. Even if it is highway mileage (wondering how much it is a difference opposed to city in terms of oil), that is still extremely heavy usage. I used to do mine no more than every 4k miles, but now the I am putting more and more mileage on my car, I get it changed before it even hits 4k...closer to the 3k end now.

Hey Nemo, my DC headers just arrived today :yay: