Changing oil is sorta like personal hygiene -- taking a shower. You can do it often or you can do it infrequently. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. And neither approach is strictly right or strictly wrong. It depends on the situation.

If I'm working on a grubby job in the hot weather, I like to shower often -- maybe twice a day.

If I'm working slowly on a light job in cool weather, I shower infrequently. Maybe once a month. This has another very important advantage -- nobody comes near me. That alone makes it worthwhile.

If you use your car in a dirty, demanding environment and frequently accelerate 'n decelerate (which constantly shoots extra gas into the engine and down the cylinder walls) then the oil can become contaminated and diluted.

On the other hand, if you're driving cross-country, lightly loaded, steady speed, the air is relatively clean so the oil remains relatively clean.

The car companies want you to experience easy ownership (less maintenance) AND wear out the engine more quickly so you'll buy another car (and usually the original purchaser doesn't own the car when it wears out). However, the oil companies want you use lotsa oil.

Personally, I change every 3000-4000 miles (oil, not clothes). And shower after, whether I need to or not.

Hi my oil change is due. I alway had followed the Volvo recommended interval which is 8,000KM interval. I normally use the SJ grade, 20-50 stuff since my engine is a 16 valve and its a bit noisy on early morning start.

I don't care what my mechanic says. Initially he advised me to change at 5,000KM (I fell for it once) but when I downloaded a page from the owner's manual from this site and stuff it in his face, that kept his mouth shut. Now I only service my car as per the manual's recommendation.

volvo940GLE, B234F, 16 valve, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I just took my daughter's 87 240 for an oil change at BP Pro Care. They put a sticker that said next oil change would be in 3000 miles. I showed them the owners manual that says 5000 miles even for "severe" conditions such as short trips or dust. The manager had no explanation for this and just kept mumbling 3 to 5 thousand is OK. He did admit that this was their cooporate policy recommendation and they apply to all cars regardless of age. To me it's just a marketing scheme to get you back sooner. I go wËth Volvo recommendation which I think says 6000 miles under normal conditions.

George: IMHO, the 3,000 mile oil change interval is a conspiracy by the oil companies. After all Click and Clack (The Tappet brothers) even moved their recommendation to 5K.

What is the interval for synthetic oil? (I'm about to change over). Chris

92 240 111K

94 940 98K

If all you drive is hiway, fine, but for me the peace of mind of changing frequently is worth it. Furthermore, I usually discover something else on the car than needs attention. We all deal with older cars which are like older people: things break down more frequently and require maintenance.

dick

5000 fine for N/A engines but it we're talking turbo engines 3000 miles

for normal oil and 5000 for synth. If you do alot of highway driving,more than 50% of the time you could extend the change interval by 50%. My dealer has an old Quaker State clock from the late 50's on the wall. It say's. Change your oil every 2000 miles with Quaker State. The problem is oil does wear out. Especially with older engines where there is some blow by in the cylinders. Even though the oil companys put additives in to help

it last longer, whats cheaper an extra oil change each year or a new cam?