gircal

The dlr has suggested oil changes every 3 months regardless of mileage. This is due to the unique blend of oil used ... a combination of synthetic and mineral. I drive about 500 miles in 3 months with this car and find this change frequency a bit unnecessary. Any comments? Can all this be true?

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

Thoroughly unnecessary. With that little mileage, change it twice a year max. And unless those miles are in severe condition like extreme stop and go driving or very dusty conditions, I'd use a good synthetic and only change it annually if it were me. That's just me. I change my oil at 7500 mile intervals and every UOA has been great.

cy7878

iTrader: (1)

the problem with 500 miles in 3 months is also the you may not heat the oil enough to vent out moisture and oil can break down faster in theory. You want to make sure if you drive so little mile that each time all parts actually reach a good operating temperature before shutting the car off can parked for prolong length of time.

BB is right that just time alone, 3 months is probably overkill. BMW and MB recommends their low mile cars get oil changed once a year.

weaver

iTrader: (4)

I go with 3750 and I use Mobil 1 synthetic 10w30 or 10w40 i believe. I do my own oil changes and i usually stick with that. You can check the owners manual too. They have two schedules. I follow that one since I have a lot of short trips.

JapanLio

Because the engine is the same as the 370z, would it be better to use esther oil instead of synthetic ?

JSolo

iTrader: (14)

I'm not a big fan of mobil 1 any more. Seen excessive wear on more than one engine after using that oil at length (ymmv). Pennzoil ultra has received good feedback here with good UOA reports. I drive ~6K miles a year, so change the oil usually in march/april, then again in oct/nov.

Between changes, usually have to add ~ 1/4 qt. Expect this to drop some as more miles are accumulated (only 6500mi on the odo now).

Last I recall, the dealer wanted something like $15/qt for the ester oil. Which is only 1% ester, and not synthetic. Go to walmart buy the pennzoil ultra (synthetic) 5.1qt jug for $30 and call it a day.

bschurr

iTrader: (2)

I drive about 6,000 miles a year in my vert and change the oil every 3,000 miles. The biggest issue as stated above is to allow the car to fully warm up and exercise properly before putting her away. An automotive lifetime of 5 mile drives to the store and back sets a bad wear pattern...