Why long oil change intervals for New Cars?

lordofgondor · 30th October 2007, 12:39

Hey fellow BHPians, just wanted to pose a query that's been in my mind for sometime now. The service manual for my Esteem 2007 model says that the car needs engine oil/filter changes at intervals of 10K Km. Isn't that a tad long?

For my Indica V2 I get the same done at every 5K Km, and the car is still running like a beauty after 1L+ Km. Also the manual specified cleaning the air filter at 10K Km mark and change at 40K, which again I find real long!

So what I wanted to know is, whether I should stick to the service schedule mentioned in the manual or get things done as per the intervals I have in mind?

Thanks in advance!
Cheers!

kjdesigns_2000 · 30th October 2007, 13:15

Basically depends on the roads you generally use, if it is normal day to day routine with city roads then sticking to the manufacture schedule should be no prob. If you use it on dirty roads then definitely the air filter should be cleaned/replaced more often.

For the oil, almost all cars these days have the limit of 10,000 kms.

sbasak · 30th October 2007, 13:28

Usually if car is used in harsh condition [too much stop-&-go city traffic etc.] it is advisable to change oil more frequently. There's no harm in changing oil more frequently.

srishiva · 30th October 2007, 13:51

Harm in changing oil too frequently is in money spent. Sticking to manufacturer's recommendation is the right thing.

vasudeva · 30th October 2007, 14:04

I think diesel engines have a shorter changing time. For other cars, as rightly pointed out, change interval depends on driving conditions (as you can see on the web and most owner manuals).

carlover98 · 30th October 2007, 14:04

I usually change my car's engine oil after every 5K Kms. This is especially good for diesel vehciles. I have an Accent viva crdi.

Your car's engine will be more smooth and also you can be assured that the wear and tear of the engine will be minimised.

Cheers.

GTO · 30th October 2007, 18:15

Pretty simple actually. You are comparing the drain interval of a petrol to a diesel. The diesel will always require more frequented oil changes.

That said, its always a good idea to get an oil change after the first 1000 - 1500 kms. Gets rid of all the metal and dirt from running in.

chetanhanda · 30th October 2007, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

Harm in changing oil too frequently is in money spent. Sticking to manufacturer's recommendation is the right thing.

Depends on how you drive the car and how long you intend to keep your car..

wolfinstein · 30th October 2007, 18:45

Newer Engines are built on different emissions and control norms, expecting increased resistance to wear and tear,hence the longer Oil change interval.

Jaguar · 30th October 2007, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

That said, its always a good idea to get an oil change after the first 1000 - 1500 kms. Gets rid of all the metal and dirt from running in.

But when I asked the ford guys about the same for my ikon, the service engineer gave me a lecture on how much research ford had put into the vehicle and as per them the first oil change is required only at 10k kms. They are not agreeing to change the oil and the oil filter no matter what. I am really confused.

- Jag

DieselFan · 30th October 2007, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Pretty simple actually. You are comparing the drain interval of a petrol to a diesel. The diesel will always require more frequented oil changes.

No this is not the case always. Swift P needs oil change every 7.5K km while the diesel oil change interval is 10K kms.

sbasak · 30th October 2007, 21:34

These are good readings on oil change intervals

Oil Change Interval—Maintenance or Myth?
Oil Change Intervals
Why are oil change intervals getting longer? - Ask.cars.com

rr_zen · 30th October 2007, 22:10

Oil change interval depends on the conditions under which the car is being driven. For example, the owner's manual of my 1999 Honda Civic states that oil replenishment is required every 3500 miles if the vehicle is driven under severe conditions and every 7000 miles if driven in normal conditions. Severe conditions here refer to driving less than 7 or 8 miles per trip on a regular basis or driving under extreme weather conditions.

adya33 · 31st October 2007, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

That said, its always a good idea to get an oil change after the first 1000 - 1500 kms. Gets rid of all the metal and dirt from running in.

Actually this can be debated.
With the new age CNC machining that are used to manufacture todays engines there is absolutely no problem of burr or dirt getting in.

I have personally seen Mahindra and Tata engine block being checked for accuracy (on two different locations) with probably the best gauges the world has to offer. And it is all done in closed dust free environment at controlled temprature.
So to be very very honest I would not worry about burr or dirt in new engines but I would honestly worry more about where I fill in fuel.

GTO · 31st October 2007, 14:30

Sure can be debated. But I'd rather be on the safe side and get the oil changed anyways. Nothing to lose, but surely something to gain.

30th October 2007, 12:39	#1
lordofgondor BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: UP 16 Posts: 936 Thanked: 159 Times	Why long oil change intervals for New Cars? Hey fellow BHPians, just wanted to pose a query that's been in my mind for sometime now. The service manual for my Esteem 2007 model says that the car needs engine oil/filter changes at intervals of 10K Km. Isn't that a tad long? For my Indica V2 I get the same done at every 5K Km, and the car is still running like a beauty after 1L+ Km. Also the manual specified cleaning the air filter at 10K Km mark and change at 40K, which again I find real long! So what I wanted to know is, whether I should stick to the service schedule mentioned in the manual or get things done as per the intervals I have in mind? Thanks in advance! Cheers!
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 13:15	#2
kjdesigns_2000 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 160 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Basically depends on the roads you generally use, if it is normal day to day routine with city roads then sticking to the manufacture schedule should be no prob. If you use it on dirty roads then definitely the air filter should be cleaned/replaced more often. For the oil, almost all cars these days have the limit of 10,000 kms.
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 13:28	#3
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	Usually if car is used in harsh condition [too much stop-&-go city traffic etc.] it is advisable to change oil more frequently. There's no harm in changing oil more frequently.
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 13:51	#4
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	Harm in changing oil too frequently is in money spent. Sticking to manufacturer's recommendation is the right thing.
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 14:04	#5
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	I think diesel engines have a shorter changing time. For other cars, as rightly pointed out, change interval depends on driving conditions (as you can see on the web and most owner manuals).
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 14:04	#6
carlover98 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 78 Thanked: 2 Times	Re : Why long oil change intervals for New Cars? I usually change my car's engine oil after every 5K Kms. This is especially good for diesel vehciles. I have an Accent viva crdi. Your car's engine will be more smooth and also you can be assured that the wear and tear of the engine will be minimised. Cheers.
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 18:15	#7
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,516 Thanked: 300,580 Times View My Garage	Pretty simple actually. You are comparing the drain interval of a petrol to a diesel. The diesel will always require more frequented oil changes. That said, its always a good idea to get an oil change after the first 1000 - 1500 kms. Gets rid of all the metal and dirt from running in.
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 18:45	#9
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	Newer Engines are built on different emissions and control norms, expecting increased resistance to wear and tear,hence the longer Oil change interval.
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 21:34	#12
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	These are good readings on oil change intervals Oil Change Interval—Maintenance or Myth? Oil Change Intervals Why are oil change intervals getting longer? - Ask.cars.com
	() Thanks

30th October 2007, 22:10	#13
rr_zen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 1,799 Thanked: 400 Times View My Garage	Oil change interval depends on the conditions under which the car is being driven. For example, the owner's manual of my 1999 Honda Civic states that oil replenishment is required every 3500 miles if the vehicle is driven under severe conditions and every 7000 miles if driven in normal conditions. Severe conditions here refer to driving less than 7 or 8 miles per trip on a regular basis or driving under extreme weather conditions.
	() Thanks

31st October 2007, 14:30	#15
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,516 Thanked: 300,580 Times View My Garage	Sure can be debated. But I'd rather be on the safe side and get the oil changed anyways. Nothing to lose, but surely something to gain.
	() Thanks