i forget..but the routine oil change is 5,000 miles or every 6 months right? It's been 4 months since my last oil change and i have only driven 2,000 miles. I could wait until the 6 months right? I checekd the oil in the car..still really clean.

 

every 3000 miles... they say 5-6000 miles if you have full synthetic, but i still wouldnt ever go past 3000

 

but i havent hit 3,000 yet..i just hit the 2,000 mile difference since my last oil change. So should i wait? It has been 4 months though. Toyota recommened on the sticker on my window..that i get an oil change at 8,000 miles.

 

The reality is that you COULD go the full 5k mileage between changes and be ok. Modern day oils are much better and you will not hurt the engine. But, a better choice that would just make life better for your car's engine is to change it at least every 4 to 6 months, especially if most of your trips are short ones where the engine barely has time to warm up. One of the major byproducts of an engine, as far as the crankcase is concerned, is water vapor. If that water vapor is allowed to collect it forms with other substances in the oil to form acids. The only way to remove these acids is to replace the oil. The longer it is allowed to stay there the more potential damage can be done.
So, you will be doing your engine and yourself a big favor if you change at least every 4 months or so.

Walt

 

OTAY!

 

The manufacturer gives limits of 5000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. This is because the short-trip sort of driving usually encountered by vehicles that don't reach at least 5000 miles in six months is very hard on the oil because it doesn't actually get hot enough for long enough to evaporate the fuel and moisture it collects in cold starting, etc.

So, there is actually a REASON for the 5000 mile/six month recommendation...and it's a reason that vehicle manufacturers, oil manufacturers. and top mechanics all agree on.

I agree, too.

Oh, yeah, almost forgot. Moved from Tread and Butter to Maintenance... :D