Yesterday I changed the oil on my Smart. It had just over 5,000 kilometers on it. I just wanted to say that it really needed it. The oil filter was totally full and the color of the oil was a dark brown indicating it needed changing. I honestly feel that in order to preserve the engine and get the most out of it, I would highly recommend changing the oil at frequent intervals. I found it very easy to do and it didn't cost any more than running my other vehicles into an oil changing shop using just the regular oil rather than the synthetic. The suggested intervals of l5,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) is totally ludicrous - especially for a three cylinder engine.
Oh boy, here we go... this thread ought to have 100 posts back and forth, like all the other oil life threads. Half the posters will say that they can go 15,000km between changes, half will say every 5,000km. So I'll pose the standard questions up front: Does color alone indicate oil life? How about the filter... what do you mean by it being "full" ? Did you send the oil out for analysis? What type of driving do you do? Short (< 10km) trips or longer?
Oil should get dirty with use as it has detergents in it keep deposits from forming and additives to keep it suspended. I comes back to the properties of the oil for lubrication that matter. I will change mine at 5000 and that is probably early but that is just me. Do not know about the oil filter being "full".
- oil life depends on:
-how you drive
-the weather
- the condition of the engine
-how much the engine has "broken in"
-distance, speed, stress on the engine
-type/brands of oil used
GOOGLE IT!!!!
- Use synthetic oils, they help prevent sludge and give off better performance and MPG!!!
Last edited by Neonspinnazz; 10-31-2008 at 12:26 AM.
Yesterday I changed the oil on my Smart. It had just over 5,000 kilometers on it. I just wanted to say that it really needed it. The oil filter was totally full and the color of the oil was a dark brown indicating it needed changing. I honestly feel that in order to preserve the engine and get the most out of it, I would highly recommend changing the oil at frequent intervals. I found it very easy to do and it didn't cost any more than running my other vehicles into an oil changing shop using just the regular oil rather than the synthetic. The suggested intervals of l5,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) is totally ludicrous - especially for a three cylinder engine.
I wanted to do my first oil change around 5000 miles, but didn't actually get to it until 8000. It was so clean it almost looked like it had already been changed. I do a lot of long distance freeway driving averaging about 2000 miles a month. I think I'll stick to the 10g schedule.
Personally, I have found, especially with racing engines, that the synthetic oils hold up very well. But like most posts before this, I would recommend at least changing the oil filter at the 5K mark (topping off the oil level with the same type oil) and then changing both oil and filter at the 10K mark. I say this becuase they have not invented a 10K oil filter yet. Now I suppose someone out there will say yes they do but I have yet to find one that actually does keep filtering up to 10K (unless of course like the last post you drive straight highway and no dusty conditions). That's my two cents.
Received my oil analysis back yesterday from Blackstone Laboratories. Used Mobil 1 5W20 and had a little less then 5,000 miles on the sample. Oil was well within the normal range and everything was OK. Since I'm "computer stupid" next Monday the wife will post the report that I received...sorry for now though.
Yesterday I changed the oil on my Smart. It had just over 5,000 kilometers on it. I just wanted to say that it really needed it. The oil filter was totally full and the color of the oil was a dark brown indicating it needed changing. I honestly feel that in order to preserve the engine and get the most out of it, I would highly recommend changing the oil at frequent intervals. I found it very easy to do and it didn't cost any more than running my other vehicles into an oil changing shop using just the regular oil rather than the synthetic. The suggested intervals of l5,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) is totally ludicrous - especially for a three cylinder engine.
I agree.
Dump the oil on a new motor sooner than later.
The colour of the oil has no bearing on it's continued usability. Just because it turns dark, that does not mean that it should be changed. It could still be within the viscosity range it should have, and still have a good compliment of working additives. The change of colour is due to several factors that have nothing to do with the oil being able to continue to do it's jobs - i.e., lubrication and cooling. Trust in the new oils and advice given by manufacturers and tribologists. The synthetic oils you should be using can last for 15,000 miles under normal conditions with no adverse effects. Changing at 3000 miles (5000 km) is simply a waste of money and more.
By the way, kenarmstrong, what was the filter full of? If you mean it was full of oil, well it should be and always is while the engine is running and if the anti-drainback valve is doing it's job. If you meant it was full of dirt and clogged, how would you know that? If you use a good air cleaner the filter will not clog. If that's what you worry about then just change the filter (without changing the oil) once during the oil change interval.
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