Is it really bad to go over you due date for oil changes

9COBRA7

Founding Member
Jul 16, 2002
116
0
0
Just outside Detroit MI
I was just wondering whats the limit of miles you guys normally go over. I know everyone on here doesnt always have the time to change there oil when its supposed. I check my oil everyday and its still topped off, but the thought over goin over eerks me because I know my car loves fresh oil as well as any other car. its not that bad to go like 50-60 miles over is it?
 
  • Sponsors (?)


not 50 or 60. just dont go a couple thousand more miles over. It depends on how your drive your car. If you drive the crap out of it change the oil regulary like 3000 miles. if you drive it easy you can probably get by with 4000 miles. It also depends on what oil you use too. Im sure someone else will elaborate on this.
 
My book says 5k mile on an oil change, the dealership always sticker it for 3k. If I run Mobile 1 I don't worry too much hitting up to 10k with a filter change. I had tons of high mileage cars without an engine problem........
 
I went ~9000 miles last before I got my oil changed. The day I got it changed, the old oil was still light gold colored and was plenty full. I went ahead and had it changed anyway though.

Can you judge if your oil should be changed based on how it looks? I don't live in the country, and dog on the throttle every now and then. I felt I could have gone another 6,000 miles.
 
I usually shoot for about 4000 miles intervals. I think Ford doesn't really stipulate a time frame, just mileage...at least that how they used to be. Now Chrysler, they have both a mileage and/or time frame. On my Ram, the book says 6k/6 months on a "Schedule A", which is IMO how I drive mine. Most dealers (regardless of make) seem to like to push the "severe service" plan, which of course is better for their service business because it requires more frequent service. There's one thing I appreciate from a service dept and that is those that will right your mileage at the time of your oil change on the reminder windshield sticker, rather than writing when they want you to come give them more money. I've only had one dealer ever to write down my current mileage on the sticker.
 
Best scam ever was for oil companies to advertise to the public that oil should be changed very 3k (They make more money by having us change oil more often). You could easily go 5k with highway driving.
 
9COBRA7 said:
I was just wondering whats the limit of miles you guys normally go over. I know everyone on here doesnt always have the time to change there oil when its supposed. I check my oil everyday and its still topped off, but the thought over goin over eerks me because I know my car loves fresh oil as well as any other car. its not that bad to go like 50-60 miles over is it?
Whoa 50-60 miles over? And your car didn't explode? WOW
 
No one has answered my question...can we judge if we should change the oil or not based on how it looks? Like I said mine was a gold color when it got changed, and it had about 9000 miles on it, and it was full.
 
I'd say that in all likelihood if the oil still looks clean, then its probably all right however I'm no chemist and have no way of saying other than by looks alone whether or not there is any breakdown in the viscosity of the oil.
That said, anybody still on a factory warranty (or an extended warranty) its obvious that you MUST change the oil within the guidelines set by the factory (not the dealer) or you give good reason to void any coverage if and when its needed.
 
If you run synthetic and you have an intact PCV, you should be able to run around 6K safely. Syn-blend is fine to 5K. I change my syn 5W-30 every 4K or so during racing season (sometimes different if I have issues with the oil or any blowby) and about every 5K otherwise. Plus my PCV is deleted--to some that makes a difference, but I've noticed no real difference in terms of oil life. And, no, you shouldn't depend on the color of the oil. It's only designed to last a certain number of miles/time and should be replaced after that mileage is up.
 
9COBRA7 said:
No need for sarcasm here. Im just the type thats usually on time with things? I have also heard so many things about this car and oil too...
I was just having a little fun, didn't mean to hurt any feelings, sorry if i did. i just figured everyone has let it slip on ocassion because i'm not anal about it, although i do pay attention to it.
 
I check my oil everyday before I start my car, and change it every 3,000 miles, if not 3,000 then 3,100 or 3,200, I don't go over that much. I have take apart motors at work sometimes, and you know the ones that don't changed oil, it gets hard, and clumpy looks like peanut butter, but it is hard hard hard and nasty. 20 dollars now, will save 2,000 dollars or more in the future!!
 
SVT32VDOHC said:
I check my oil everyday before I start my car, and change it every 3,000 miles, if not 3,000 then 3,100 or 3,200, I don't go over that much. I have take apart motors at work sometimes, and you know the ones that don't changed oil, it gets hard, and clumpy looks like peanut butter, but it is hard hard hard and nasty. 20 dollars now, will save 2,000 dollars or more in the future!!


My gawd man! Everyday before you start your car? :scratch:
That sounds excessive.