I have to side with Todd as I have been involved in oil testing. Todd did say his BMW but if you ask these same guys wanting to change often to point out cars with oil related failures, I do not think you will get much. We had oil tested by a lab after 7500 miles and the results showed over 90 % of its lubrication abilities still present.

But this has been a topic for years and will continue after we are all gone. Drive and enjoy.

 

Changed my oil last weekend......


Cost me

$33 for about 7.5 quarts Mobil one.. ($22 for a 5 quart container)
$15 for oil filter
$0.30 for crush washer
$3 for the beer I drank while waiting for the oil to drain and playing with my iPhone

Total = $ 51.30 for the oil change... 47 minutes total...
If I don't change the filter it costs me only $36.30 ( usually I change it at about 10k miles, but usually change the oil at about 5K if I can get around to it)

For that cost it is barely worth the time to even think about 3k, 5k or 10k miles.. My decision on mileage is based on just when it is convenient, If I was paying $400, and wasting several hours I suppose I would care....

 

Less than a tank of gas!

Last time I went to the dealer and asked for ONLY an oil change it was under $150.00 as well.

 

The point is not that an oil change is cheap and easy. It is.

The point is not that service shops will tell you you must change your oil more often. They will. Their livelihood depends on you buying service.

The question is if extended OCI's are OK. They are. If you choose to change your oil more frequently, for whatever illogical and emotional reason, that's your business.

"Everybody knows that 10,000 miles is too long". My favorite piece of incorrect internet wisdom that gets recycled ad nauseum.

 

Nobody is saying the car will have some sort of major damage with 10K oil changes. It won't.

At the same time doing 5K-7,500K intervals or once a year obviously won't do a car any harm either. Will it ????

What next, criticize once a week washes for water conservation?

Look at these lifetime transmission fluid marketing gimmicks. I assume you agree with those too? Hasn't served Mercedes very well has it?

You just have to filter the marketing gimmicks and what is best for you. I'd rather buy a used car from someone who was early and on top of their maintenance than someone who did the bare minimum. It usually carries over on how well you treat your vehicles overall many times.

It's your car, do what you want!

 

My reason for initiating this thread was to set out the position of an employee engineer of an oil company. While we suspect a bias - I certainly do - his talk was informative and appeared sincere.

Will your engine fail if you don't change the oil at 10k or 20k intervals? I doubt it
Will your engine fail if you do not use A40 spec oil? I believe it may

I may be odd, and a little weird (ok a lot weird) but I like maintaining my 991. I like washing, waxing, claying and changing the oil. It's fun relaxing and I get a bizarre thrill at just looking at it.

No two cars are driven and maintained the exact same way. Maintenance guidelines are provided as engineering averages.

Enjoy the car. Maintain it anyway you want. I'm not here to tell you what to do

 

Well said..

And I like maintaining mine too.. For any other car than my Porsche I really don't like to anymore..

But for my 991 it is kind of like dating a pretty woman who you want to fuss over and buy her presents...