[PARKERTE]

To get to the point, even though I've only driven the Elise 700 miles since it's last oil change.........two years ago in June (sorry folks) I was told by my dealer and some on this forum to change it because it's two years old even with only 700 miles use. OK, sounds fine for a 4 cyl using Castrol Synth oil. I have another car, A 09' VW tiguan and here is what was said in a VW forum post:

Originally Posted by PARKERTE
VW's free service coverage is a nice perk when one has to visit the 'pricey' dealer, but my dealer told me that my first oil change is at 10,000 miles on the Tig ! Yes I know that synth oil ( like Mobil 1) is used, probably Castrol, but for years I was told the oil from the factory was a special blend for the valves, and needed to be changed by at least 5k miles. I've never heard of 10K oil changes. In fact with my 4 cyl sports cars in the past which had synth oil, they were always changed at 3-4K for max. protection on a performance engine. Is not a turbo charged 4 cyl 2.0 engine prone to run 'hot' oil breakdown, hi revs, towing trailers, summer heat, etc. ? I'm not to comfortable with this 'free' service, looks like I will have to go to the corner oil change shop when I hit 5K miles and pay, and not have the service book stamped !
Peace of mind.

Well you'll be doing both your wallet and your Tig a disservice if you do. The 10k miles or 15k km service intervals are set by VW with good reason and the amount of detergent in modern oils means it is actually counterproductive to change it sooner than recommended. If you do a search through this and other Tig forums you'll find this discussed dozens of times. Seriously, I think that VW know their engineering better than anybody else. That said, if you want to pay to wear your engine out more quickly, it's your privilege.

Cheers


Even though this is a VW service procedure, anyone ever hear of not changing oil until 10K miles from the factory ? This is worrysome to me. Is the persons response to my question correct ?
:crazyeyes
__________________

 

[marcinr]

Even though this is a VW service procedure, anyone ever hear of not changing oil until 10K miles from the factory ? This is worrysome to me. Is the persons response to my question correct ?
:crazyeyes
__________________

Some cars are designed for longer oil change intervals, it's as simple as that. They have larger oil capacity, a more durable filter and so you can go longer between changes. For instance, my friend's BMW 330i takes 7qt of oil and the recommended change is 10-15k, depending on how you drive, the ECU actually keeps track of how you drive and tells you when it's time for a change.

I personally don't believe the theory that changing the oil too often is detrimental to the engine. That would imply that fresh oil is damaging to the engine until it gets used up a bit. I have no proof of course, this is just speculation.

 

[Blue10]

I too have a VW, except mine is of the 2008 GTI flavor. Recommended intervals were 5,000 miles for the first two then every 10,000. VW is a quality German car. I have complete faith in the manufacturer's recommendations.

I don't think you can change your oil too often. I have heard that changing the oil filter too often can be detrimental because a new filter allows more smaller particles through. Just recently, I was talking to a Boxster owner, and he said he changes his oil every 3K and changes his filter every 6K when using full synthetic.

 

[SirLotus]

Regarding the low mileage, but extended time interval issue;
My belief is that although car manufacturers give both a mileage and time limit to change the oil, the time does not really matter, and is irrelevant. Oil does not degrade by just sitting there and not being run in an engine. As long as it is changed within the mileage limit then that if fine, irrespective of the time. There is in fact, only one reason oil can degrade in a condition of not being run in an engine, and that is moisture absorption from condensation. When I recently changed my oil the mileage was 5723 miles between changes, less than the 7500 miles limit, but the time was almost 2 years, not the 6 months stated. To prove my point I sent the used oil to a lab for testing and the results confirmed my theory, my oil has 0.0% water content. I might add that in certain parts of the country, condensation may be a bigger problem and extended time may not work.
Cheers,
Michael

 

[shadowhusky]

I have a 2002 Jetta TDI and I change the oil every 10000 miles. As noted in my signature, I am soon approaching 150,000 and I have no problems with it.

 

[Green Ghost]

Most of the change your oil every 3000 miles anic: rant is just a bunch of jiffy lube type places trying to get the stupid people to buy more. Most synthetic oil can last quite I long time, that’s one of the bigger reasons to use it. You know how you drive so you can make a judgment as to when to change your oil. Some of the oil companies suggest you change your filter once between oil changes for the oil should be good quite some time. Any synthetic oil should be good for an EZ 7000 miles of normal use.

This is my observation, with some of the oil filters out there now that are vary small, like the stock one in our car, I can see why there’s a possible need to do this. One of the two main reasons I use a K&N 2009 filter is it bigger (reason two is there’s a bolt stile top on it that makes getting it on/off EZ). Be sure to add a bit of oil to compensate what was in the filter if you decide to do this.

Now my personal feelings on the Lotus….:mw:

It drives me nuts that I can’t change all (90% would be expectable) the oil in this car at one time. The oil in the coolers can’t be drained at the same time. I like the oil in my cars to look clean, and in this car it’s not going to happen. Only changing about 60% of the oil per change I just don’t like. I don’t care if it OK I don’t like it. I keep thinking of a way to do a more thorough oil change but so far I haven’t thought of anything worth doing. I hate the thought of a small amount of oil maybe never getting changed, just going around and around getting older and uglier. And always being in the cooler at oil change time:wallbang:.

Rant over….:mw:

 

[BK_DC]

Some cars are designed for longer oil change intervals, it's as simple as that. They have larger oil capacity, a more durable filter and so you can go longer between changes. For instance, my friend's BMW 330i takes 7qt of oil and the recommended change is 10-15k, depending on how you drive, the ECU actually keeps track of how you drive and tells you when it's time for a change.

I drive one of those. The recommended oil change interval is indeed 10-15K. Synth oil just lasts longer. That said, it absolutely does not hurt to change more often, and many of us, myself included, do a break-in oil change after 1.5-4K miles, then change the oil about every 7500 miles.

The response on the VW forum was correct that it probably makes sense just to follow the recommended procedure, but incorrect that changing more often will actually wear the engine.

 

[VisualEchos]

I personally think that the oil-change intervals have gotten higher and higher as a response to overuse of fossil fuels, but it can definitely be said that failures of modern engines due to oil sludge has declined greatly over the years.

Having said that, I change mine at 5K (100% synthetic).

 

['Nova]

Even though this is a VW service procedure, anyone ever hear of not changing oil until 10K miles from the factory ? This is worrysome to me. Is the persons response to my question correct ?
:crazyeyes

That's fairly common for European cars to have a 10k interval vs. the hyped 3k change in the US. The best way to figure what's going on with your car.. because every engine is different, is to get a used oil analysis (UOA) done by a company. I've used Blackstone Labs before and they're very easy to use. You can order a free collection kit online and next interval, just take some from the middle of the drain and send it back in the kit.

They'll take a look at the oil chemically not visually (which doesn't mean anything) and w/ a TBN, give you an idea of how long you can run the car for on the oil. Without that, you're just guessing, in my opinion.

 

[SirLotus]

+1 - here is mine showing no moisture after 2 years.
Cheers,
Michael

I've used Blackstone Labs before and they're very easy to use. You can order a free collection kit online and next interval, just take some from the middle of the drain and send it back in the kit.
They'll take a look at the oil chemically not visually (which doesn't mean anything) and w/ a TBN, give you an idea of how long you can run the car for on the oil. Without that, you're just guessing, in my opinion.