I change the oil myself every 5-7k miles. There is no way I would go 20k without a chance in any car.

 

This is just a general rule of thumb. In reality, certain conditions allow for synthetic oil to not break down even after 4 years.

But I agree, I would change it every year regardless of mileage.

Changing 9 qts of Mobil 1 every 5k miles?

I can understand if you drive through sandstorm doing 5k OCI -- Eddie, I hope you change air filters too every oil change.

 

Once a year regardless of mileage is perfect. Unless you do mainly stop and go driving (using car like a taxicab) in city driving all the time, I wouldn't worry about the oil.

For those driving in the sand storm areas, make sure you don't switch over to the K&N aftermarket air filters which are not as good as the OEM Porsche paper filters. The Dust and sand will tear up the cylinder walls in no time.

 

I changed mine at 7000 and the oil is pure black! Should of change them sooner, oh well.

 

Is color really an indicator of the health of the oil and ability to protect the motor? What exactly is it a measure of? I always changed the oil in my 968 at 3k every time because it would turn black as night very quickly, so I assumed it was getting eaten up. I'm annoyed by the lack of a dipstick in the car, not because I can't check the level, but because I can't check the color, assuming it was an indication of condition.

The oil in my Husky would turn black as well before the rebuild, and sure enough the motor died young. Since the rebuilt and with a more complete breakin, the oil has maintained it's color for much much longer.

Anyone know what the answer is on this for sure?

 

It's 90 miles of pure stop and go for me from the LIE to Manhattan... I need to change my oil that often.

 

First of all, oil color IS NOT an indication of oil life. Do some research and this is a recurrent theme. IT IS SUPPOSED to be black -- it's black because it is doing its job -- suspending the contaminants in the liquid. If it's clear, then you should worry.

The only way to know for sure is by spending $60 to do an oil analysis.

This article from Consumer Reports may be of interest to you:

http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.htm

Summary: A test of NY taxis show no significant performance difference in oil changed every 3k miles or 6k miles. Keep in mind the study was done in '96 -- oil technology has advanced since then.

The report also doesn't recommend leaving oil for 12k miles, due to contaminant issues. My believe is they're stating this simply to prevent lawsuits against them. They didn't really do any study to prove or disprove this statement -- unlike many people on this forum:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Board=3&page=1

you'll find many oil analysis where the oil is still fine after 12-15k.

In the end, it's your car, your $. If you're set on changing every 5k miles, the only people you're upsetting are the environmentalist. The oil companies and dealers certainly aren't complaining

 

20K miles sounds high to me....but who knows? I have heard 7500 is a good number for water cooled Porsches driven as street cars....which is what I typically do.

 

im ready for 20k service on my cayman base auto...
the dealer i use to go to quote me $590 if i remember right..
i did oil change at 6000 and 12k there.and now 19k ..
what do they perform other than oil change for 20k service?
do you guys feel the inspections are waste of time and money

 

FYI,
Walter's in Riverside is having a 79.00 oil change special until the end of January.

 

thanks..i have that...so special deal..
however i need do the 20k service.not just oil change.....

 

i'd like to know this as well...

i justed changed my oil for the first time at 5K miles after about 1.5 yrs of ownership. I wasn't going to change it until 10K but there was a low oil warning so i figured what the heck... the oil was pretty beat up at 5K.

 

To be on the safe side, oil change should be done 7K for heavy stop & go and 10K for freeway (cruising). For guys who don't clock in 5k miles annually once a year should be good. I don't change my own oil because there is a shop near my home that work on VW that will do mine for $25 (labor) I just bring the oil, filter. It's nice to know the shop owner and he's Porschemeister.

 

I noticed you live in GG. There is a shop on Brookhurst and Trask that do oil change for Porsche cheap. No excuse about expensive oil change.

 

thanks for the tip! what's the shop called?