Wow, engine oil is EXPENSIVE...

[VTEC_Inside]

I've been doing 10,000km intervals using Amsoil in the RSX. I had been doing 8000km intervals with M1, but it seemed to burn that oil up. The Amsoil level stays pretty consistent, plus the extra mileage offsets the extra cost of the oil a little.

The CSX, with its maintenance minder, has been prompting changes at just over 10,000km intervals.

[cawimmer430]

Why is the car sucking down so much oil?

Except for an old beater Mazda my family used to own, I've never had to fill a car up with oil in between oil changes. A 2007 BMW should not be burning all that oil, right?

Sounds like something is wrong.

Nope. The car is running just fine and dandy.

I am driving a lot recently and when I am on the Autobahn I usually drive very fast - between 160-200 km/h, especially if the distances are longer and I need to make good time. All that definitely affects the oil consumption. Plus, the last time I added oil the levels were pretty low. I added 1 L of oil to fill it up and filled up the oil tank to about 85%. That was about 8,200 km ago. The oil consumption isn't bad.

Bad oil consumption? My ex-1985 Mercedes 300SE W126 needed a 1L oil fill-up every 1,000-1,500 km. That's completely normal for those cars as they age according to various sources out there.

[S204STi]

I've been doing 10,000km intervals using Amsoil in the RSX. I had been doing 8000km intervals with M1, but it seemed to burn that oil up. The Amsoil level stays pretty consistent, plus the extra mileage offsets the extra cost of the oil a little.

The CSX, with its maintenance minder, has been prompting changes at just over 10,000km intervals.

M1 seems to burn at a high rate, particularly 5w30.

[sportyaccordy]

I've been doing 10,000km intervals using Amsoil in the RSX. I had been doing 8000km intervals with M1, but it seemed to burn that oil up. The Amsoil level stays pretty consistent, plus the extra mileage offsets the extra cost of the oil a little.

The CSX, with its maintenance minder, has been prompting changes at just over 10,000km intervals.

Even old Hondas can go longer between intervals. I think my old Accords recommended ~7500mi between changes. As they get older though you def gotta keep an eye on oil levels and leak points.

[Colin]

A litre of oil costs about ?15 in the UK, so that is a little cheaper than Wimmer paid.

I usually have to buy 1 litre as the Audi uses a little between the 19,000 mile service intervals........... after 14,000 miles it needs a half litre or so.

The comments in this thread suggest that the American practice of changing the oil every few thousand miles is still quite common........ in Europe, most cars have around 20,000 mile or annual service intervals, and no-one changes their oil outside the standard servicing schedule. With modern technologies for manufacturing the engine and the detergents in the oils there is absolutely no need to drain the oil ever 3000 miles any more.

[VTEC_Inside]

Even old Hondas can go longer between intervals. I think my old Accords recommended ~7500mi between changes. As they get older though you def gotta keep an eye on oil levels and leak points.

Yeah, I think the sticker on the air cleaner lid of my old Accord says like 12,000kms or something :eek: That would have brought that car to a much earlier half grave than its in now.

[VTEC_Inside]

Related note, gotta get some oil for the CSX soon, and just my luck sale:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/Winter-Driving/SyntheticOil/PRD~0289325P/Pennzoil+Platinum+Synthetic+Motor+Oil%2C+4.4L.jsp?locale=en

[93JC]

A litre of oil costs about £15 in the UK, so that is a little cheaper than Wimmer paid.

I usually have to buy 1 litre as the Audi uses a little between the 19,000 mile service intervals........... after 14,000 miles it needs a half litre or so.

The comments in this thread suggest that the American practice of changing the oil every few thousand miles is still quite common........ in Europe, most cars have around 20,000 mile or annual service intervals, and no-one changes their oil outside the standard servicing schedule. With modern technologies for manufacturing the engine and the detergents in the oils there is absolutely no need to drain the oil ever 3000 miles any more.

20,000 miles?!?! That just wouldn't fly here. The environment is far too harsh on the oil (freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw all winter) and the cars are put into more severe service. The recommended interval in Canada for my car is four months or 8,000 km (5,000 miles); the recommended interval in the US is 12,000 km (7,500 miles) or every six months, with the caveat that if the vehicle is operated in "severe conditions" they should follow the Canadian schedule. The interval in the UK is once a year or every 12,500 miles (20,000 km).


Perhaps longer service intervals in Europe are commonplace because the cars aren't expected to last as long...


Then again, given how expensive a litre of oil is over there compared to here (~$6 from a gas station, less than £4/€5) perhaps the manufacturers are more conscious of the cost of having the oil changed because a shorter service interval would increase the consumer's overall cost of ownership substantially.

[93JC]

Related note, gotta get some oil for the CSX soon, and just my luck sale:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/Winter-Driving/SyntheticOil/PRD~0289325P/Pennzoil+Platinum+Synthetic+Motor+Oil%2C+4.4L.jsp?locale=en

God dammit. I offered to change the oil in my mom's car; bought $40 worth of regular oil a couple weeks ago.

[VTEC_Inside]

God dammit. I offered to change the oil in my mom's car; bought $40 worth of regular oil a couple weeks ago.

Gotta watch the crappy tire flyer... I just got back with 2 jugs... :)

[Rupert]

Even old Hondas can go longer between intervals. I think my old Accords recommended ~7500mi between changes. As they get older though you def gotta keep an eye on oil levels and leak points.

Porsche recommended 15,000 miles in 1986 (as far as I can tell). I change it every 3000, anyway.

[hotrodalex]

Our Bimmer's computer usually sets it at 15,000 miles.

[hounddog]

I remember $15 oil changes and the local quick lube. 

Loyal Customer service costs me over $80 for my truck now.