Oil change intervals

[longdog]

Just got back from 2 weeks in 'Merica, land of the free. I saw a couple of programs and adverts about oil. Anyway, one was about engine sludge and was sponsored by Castrol. On this program, Castrol recommended that oil changes should be carried out "at least every 3000 miles to ensure no sludge build up". A few days later, I saw another program, this time sponsored by Mobil where they declared that "Mobil fully synthetic oil was the only oil to allow oil changes at up to 5000 miles".

Now I know this was advice from programs sponsored by oil manufacturers, but don't these milages seem just a tad short by anyones standards when you consider BMW and VW/AUDI group cars, (and probably others) are boasting of 30000 mile oil changes depending on use. Personally, I would never go that long between oil changes, no matter who advised it!!!

Any thoughts or views?

 

[wessie]

Are you sure you were not tuned into a channel specialising in "what it was like to live in the 1970s"

 

[Bananaman]

I have always tried to change oil in all our vehicles every 3,000 miles, (except the wifes Discovery, it takes too damn much !) I only use semi synthetic oil on the bike and from Costco or similar it doesn't really break the bank price wise either.

I know some folks will say it's a waste of money but I have never had any major engine problems with any vehicles in forty years of motoring doing this. My old Granada did 140,000 with no problems, as did an my MB.

I certainly feel bikes especially benefit from clean oil. I now use mine all year round but even if I was just a summer biker I would put it to bed with clean oil as I don't think the acids in the old oil do it much good over long periods of time.

Lastly it also gives you a nice warm feeling knowing you have nice fresh oil in.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I've read about these short oil change intervals on the American Adventure site. Seems like they've a history of changing oil early, obviously ( to me anyway) the big oil companies are keen to promote this sales driven scheme.

My thoughts are that synthetic oil was developed to enable cars/bikes to go longer between service intervals.

 

[Tarka]

My thoughts are that synthetic oil was developed to enable cars/bikes to go longer between service intervals.

The oil may last longer,due to being a high synthetic,but you`re forgetting about all the shite contaminating the oil.


Feck all this synthetic crap off if you`re talking GS or any other bike with a non-unit engine ( meaning gearbox separate from engine ) and use mineral.

Oil changed every 3000 miles on my GS`s.




And every THOUSAND MILES on the Ural !!

 

[pomm001]

Just got back from 2 weeks in 'Merica, land of the free. I saw a couple of programs and adverts about oil. Anyway, one was about engine sludge and was sponsored by Castrol. On this program, Castrol recommended that oil changes should be carried out "at least every 3000 miles to ensure no sludge build up". A few days later, I saw another program, this time sponsored by Mobil where they declared that "Mobil fully synthetic oil was the only oil to allow oil changes at up to 5000 miles".

Now I know this was advice from programs sponsored by oil manufacturers, but don't these milages seem just a tad short by anyones standards when you consider BMW and VW/AUDI group cars, (and probably others) are boasting of 30000 mile oil changes depending on use. Personally, I would never go that long between oil changes, no matter who advised it!!!

Any thoughts or views?

Having spent some time in the US, the oil change thing at 3000 miles is only odd to us over here, its been like that in the US for as long as anyone can remember.
Franchised oil and filter change shops are on most main streets, Jiffy Lube springs to mind.
A drive in oil change and filter would cost about $12, its still cheap,its a custom thats continued , there is no real need for it,obviously the oil companies are not complaining, the same goes for the motor manufactures, in fact looking through a owners handbook it recomends 3000 mile oil change, but doesnt insist it has to be a dealer.
I guess if they had to pay $75 like we do they would ask the same question.
Earlier this year 5 quarts of mobil 1 was around $22 in the supermarket
why is it £30 odd here for 4 litres , same stuff ?
It must be the 'treasure island' influence
ie you can charge what you want for the UK market
sorry i am starting to rant.

 

[longdog]

Having spent some time in the US, the oil change thing at 3000 miles is only odd to us over here, its been like that in the US for as long as anyone can remember.
Franchised oil and filter change shops are on most main streets, Jiffy Lube springs to mind.
A drive in oil change and filter would cost about $12, its still cheap,its a custom thats continued , there is no real need for it,obviously the oil companies are not complaining, the same goes for the motor manufactures, in fact looking through a owners handbook it recomends 3000 mile oil change, but doesnt insist it has to be a dealer.
I guess if they had to pay $75 like we do they would ask the same question.
Earlier this year 5 quarts of mobil 1 was around $22 in the supermarket
why is it £30 odd here for 4 litres , same stuff ?
It must be the 'treasure island' influence
ie you can charge what you want for the UK market
sorry i am starting to rant.

Rant away mate! Good answer! When I was feeding my Golf GTI Mobil 1, I used to buy a few gallons, (sorry, 4 litre containers), when I was visiting France. It was around £18 for 4 litres there as opposed to £40 for 4 litres over here.

 

[longdog]

The oil may last longer,due to being a high synthetic,but you`re forgetting about all the shite contaminating the oil.


Feck all this synthetic crap off if you`re talking GS or any other bike with a non-unit engine ( meaning gearbox separate from engine ) and use mineral.

Oil changed every 3000 miles on my GS`s.




And every THOUSAND MILES on the Ural !!

Cheers Tarka, no, it wasn't GS related, just a general question about oil change intervals "over here" and "over there" and why the oil manufacturers "over there" would only guarantee their products up the mileages specified in my original posting