Oil change interval - why the difference for a hatch and sedan ?

Rtech · 31st March 2007, 10:35

Guys, remember, while the actual properties of the oil may be good for 20,000 km, the reason for changing the oil earlier is to clear the system of the microscopic shards of metal and other dirt that builds up due to the natural wear and tear of the engine internals.

Just changing the oil filter helps to some extent, but if you really care about your engine, and plan to keep the car a long time (5 years +), then change the oil within 6-10K km's at the MOST, depending the the type of usage. It doesn't matter whether you are using fully synthetic oil or mineral oil.

navdeep · 31st March 2007, 10:42

can we check the status/quality of engine oil with a drop in between our finger tips .. if it needs to be changed. I mean any visual/tangible signs ?

wolfinstein · 31st March 2007, 10:47

The lancer 2001 manual listed first Oil Change at 1000 Km and then at every 10,000 Km or 6 Months.

My XETA had the first Oil Change at 10,500 as per TATA and then followed by every 10,000 KM.

Both the Cars were MPFI, But one being Bharat 2 and Bharat 3 respectively.

I think the difference is in Enviormental norms, Durability parts, Better Oil Technology.

Rtech · 31st March 2007, 10:50

Quote:

My XETA had the first Oil Change at 10,500

WHAT!! First oil change at 10,500km!!!! No wonder Tata cars never last long!

wolfinstein · 31st March 2007, 11:00

I don't think TATA is the only one to recommend Oil changes at 10,000 KM...Hyundai-Honda are on the list too..!

GTO · 31st March 2007, 11:05

Surprising, my Indigo is scheduled for an oil change at 5000 kms.

Quote:

can we check the status/quality of engine oil with a drop in between our finger tips .. if it needs to be changed.

Too crude a method.

Rtech · 31st March 2007, 11:06

He said the first oil change was at 10,500km. That is just crazy! I don't think Hyundai or Honda recommend a first change at 10,500. Subsequent intervals yes, but not the first change. Lets wait for a confirmation from an owner as to whats in the manual.

viper · 31st March 2007, 11:10

Rt,

The Getz has a oil change at 2nd service which is 10,000kms or there is a period i think 6 months(not sure) whichever comes first. Oil is not changed at 1st service.

Viper

Rtech · 31st March 2007, 11:14

Geez. And you guys actually follow this?

viper · 31st March 2007, 11:17

RT,

I insisted and changed my oil to Mobil1 at 1st service(1000kms). They said you will have to pay for the Oil filter as it is free only in 2nd service which I paid for.

I advise and recommend people in new cars to change oil at 1st service.

Viper

amit · 31st March 2007, 11:44

Fiat recommends first oil change at 7,500kms. Not sure about the duration in months but it's probably 6 months. My S10 had it's first first oil change at 7,370kms. The car was 5 months and 15 days young at that time.

humyum · 31st March 2007, 11:53

Isnt Changin the engine oil every 5000 km or 6 months good for the engine???I have a 1998 maruti 800 70000 km run and have been religiously follow the 6 months or 5000 km oil change intervals

sreenivass · 31st March 2007, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by amit

Fiat recommends first oil change at 7,500kms. Not sure about the duration in months but it's probably 6 months. My S10 had it's first first oil change at 7,370kms. The car was 5 months and 15 days young at that time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by humyum

Isnt Changin the engine oil every 5000 km or 6 months good for the engine???I have a 1998 maruti 800 70000 km run and have been religiously follow the 6 months or 5000 km oil change intervals

For my Petra the first oil change was after a month. I remember the recommendation is 1000 KMs or a month. Second oil change is probably 3000 KMs or 3 months. 3rd one at 6 months or 7500 KMs. After that its either 7500 KMs or 6 months. I have been religiously following the time schedule because I never cover that mileage spec. IMHO its better to change oil on time even if the secified number of KMs are not covered. Oil does change its properties over time and in dusty conditions.

Ricky_63 · 31st March 2007, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

He said the first oil change was at 10,500km. That is just crazy! I don't think Hyundai or Honda recommend a first change at 10,500. Subsequent intervals yes, but not the first change. Lets wait for a confirmation from an owner as to whats in the manual.

My Accent VIVA CRDi has a reccomended oil change after the first 10000 kms or 6 months whichever is earlier........no oil was changed at the first service at 1000 kms......i guess they have their reasons, whereas SKODA dealers insist on oil change at every 7500 kms interval service even if the car has done only 3000 kms since the last service (obviously they just wanna make more money)

...........

Cheers

Floyd de Souza · 31st March 2007, 17:06

Guys...the manual is sacrosanct only from the warranty perspective. The manual is only indicative in that it generalises the operating conditions. You can follow the manual under "normal" conditions (read non-stressful). And this includes mostly highway type journeys. In stressful conditions which include a lot of stop and go, short journeys and/or harsh and dusty conditions it is advisable to change the oil more often say at half the rcommended mileage/time-frame. Most of our driving falls in the second category. Hence my advice is to change the oil & oil filter every six months/5000km for mineral/semisynth oil and every 1 yr/10000km for synthetic oil. In fact the car should be serviced every six months/5000kms. Follow this schedule and I assure you that the car will put a smile on your face every time you fire her up.

31st March 2007, 10:35	#16
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 371 Times View My Garage	Guys, remember, while the actual properties of the oil may be good for 20,000 km, the reason for changing the oil earlier is to clear the system of the microscopic shards of metal and other dirt that builds up due to the natural wear and tear of the engine internals. Just changing the oil filter helps to some extent, but if you really care about your engine, and plan to keep the car a long time (5 years +), then change the oil within 6-10K km's at the MOST, depending the the type of usage. It doesn't matter whether you are using fully synthetic oil or mineral oil.
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 10:42	#17
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	can we check the status/quality of engine oil with a drop in between our finger tips .. if it needs to be changed. I mean any visual/tangible signs ?
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 10:47	#18
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	The lancer 2001 manual listed first Oil Change at 1000 Km and then at every 10,000 Km or 6 Months. My XETA had the first Oil Change at 10,500 as per TATA and then followed by every 10,000 KM. Both the Cars were MPFI, But one being Bharat 2 and Bharat 3 respectively. I think the difference is in Enviormental norms, Durability parts, Better Oil Technology.
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:00	#20
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	I don't think TATA is the only one to recommend Oil changes at 10,000 KM...Hyundai-Honda are on the list too..!
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:06	#22
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 371 Times View My Garage	He said the first oil change was at 10,500km. That is just crazy! I don't think Hyundai or Honda recommend a first change at 10,500. Subsequent intervals yes, but not the first change. Lets wait for a confirmation from an owner as to whats in the manual.
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:10	#23
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,766 Thanked: 20 Times	Rt, The Getz has a oil change at 2nd service which is 10,000kms or there is a period i think 6 months(not sure) whichever comes first. Oil is not changed at 1st service. Viper
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:14	#24
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 371 Times View My Garage	Geez. And you guys actually follow this?
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:17	#25
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,766 Thanked: 20 Times	RT, I insisted and changed my oil to Mobil1 at 1st service(1000kms). They said you will have to pay for the Oil filter as it is free only in 2nd service which I paid for. I advise and recommend people in new cars to change oil at 1st service. Viper
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:44	#26
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,712 Thanked: 451 Times	Fiat recommends first oil change at 7,500kms. Not sure about the duration in months but it's probably 6 months. My S10 had it's first first oil change at 7,370kms. The car was 5 months and 15 days young at that time. Last edited by amit : 31st March 2007 at 11:45.
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 11:53	#27
humyum Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,830 Thanked: 5,865 Times	Isnt Changin the engine oil every 5000 km or 6 months good for the engine???I have a 1998 maruti 800 70000 km run and have been religiously follow the 6 months or 5000 km oil change intervals
	() Thanks

31st March 2007, 17:06	#30
Floyd de Souza BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 321 Thanked: 228 Times	Guys...the manual is sacrosanct only from the warranty perspective. The manual is only indicative in that it generalises the operating conditions. You can follow the manual under "normal" conditions (read non-stressful). And this includes mostly highway type journeys. In stressful conditions which include a lot of stop and go, short journeys and/or harsh and dusty conditions it is advisable to change the oil more often say at half the rcommended mileage/time-frame. Most of our driving falls in the second category. Hence my advice is to change the oil & oil filter every six months/5000km for mineral/semisynth oil and every 1 yr/10000km for synthetic oil. In fact the car should be serviced every six months/5000kms. Follow this schedule and I assure you that the car will put a smile on your face every time you fire her up.
	() Thanks