Oil changes and Oil sensors

Apr 06, 2005 27 Replies

Personally, the first oil change from a brand new car would be 3000 mile (5000km). Regardless what the dealer or trip computer might say. My theory behind this is, every engine, no matter how good the build quality, the internal mating surfaces will have some imperfections from brand new. Therefore the first few thousand miles will have them shaved off, smoothed down on their own. The filing will all gone back to the oil (hopefully). But doing that oil change, it get rids of those nasty filings.

Not sure if anyone agrees with me, but that's what I would do.

Thanks again Tom, and sorry about that. I have no idea how that happened... I did watch "12 Monkeys" last night on TV. Maybe it was some of that bizarre time travel gone wrong again?

-Fred W

Naw - it's the new series of Dr Who...

When I acquired my new car in 2001 (German BMW competitor), the first new car in years, I found that there was no instruction to change oil after 'running in'.

This marque had previously recommended a change at 1500 km/900 miles, something also included in the service booklet.

This requirement had continued with this brand long after others had dropped it, so I was really surprised and a touch concerned. However, having spoken to an old-school service technician at the dealer's, I accepted it. Even he said that he had reluctantly come to accept the new ruling, that the engine does not need it.

Change oil if it makes you happy and saves you a psychiatric bill. Otherwise it's a waste of money and time.

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling

I'd say that modern machineing is such that there is little or no bedding in needed, therefore no 'swarf' etc generated.

Yup. It certainly does no harm.

Yes, that's right. And after replacing the oil filter is a real good time to check that oil level on the dipstick and top it up. I just didn't mention the dipstick part because it seemed so obvious.

-Fred W

Ah, OK. Gotcha. That's not a bad plan.

-Fred W

Thanks Pete. Yeah, Dave set me straight on this analysis stuff. Sounds like a reasonable plan.

-Fred W

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