I have a '98 LX and have had it for almost two years. Over that time I have religiously changed the oil every 3000 miles. Well, the other day when I was getting it changed I decided to look in the manual. It says to change the oil every 7500 miles or 12 months. I would really like to do it every 7500 considering I drive 67 miles each way to work and have been spending a small fortune in oil changes. I mentioned the 7500 miles to a tire sales person and they said that if I do it every 7500 my oil will be sludge and it will cause damage and void any warrantee. Well, I'm WAY out of warrantee, but I don't want to do any damage. So my question is, is it okay to change it every 7500 miles like the manual says?

 

I'd recommend changing the oil every 5K miles. You should also consider using full synthetic oil.

 

I put Maxlife in it. Is that synthetic? If not, how much more expensive is synthetic? I already pay around $50 per full service oil change with the Maxlife. I can't afford to go any higher.

 

You'd cut the price by more than 50% by changing the oil yourself.

 

Maxlife is Valvoline Synthetic.
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ....asp?product=7
What warrantee was the tire sales person referring to? If the oil change interval is 7500 according to the manual than you are not doing anything wrong. Besides the manufacturer warrenty has expired.
I've got an '08 Civic with the maintenance minder system. I have a similar commute (60 miles each way) and it looks like my oil change interval will be about 7200-7500 miles when I'm at the 15% remaining oil life according to the indicator.
I'm doing my first oil change on this car this weekend with Mobil 1 Extended Service oil and filter. To DIY, it cost $44. I don't think it's expensive considering the service interval of 7500 miles.

 

synthetic oil should cost twice as much as the regular oil. i would change the oil every 5000 miles instead of 3000. you should consider doing it yourself to save a little more money

 

Some of the name brand synthetic motor oils mentioned in this thread are fine choices but rather expensive in my opinion. Other full synthetic oils can be had for much cheaper without much sacrifice in quality. My DIY 5K mile oil changes cost less than $20 including the filter.

 

1. run some lucasoil engine cleaner/treatment(not the oil treatment) in your gas/oil/vacuum line.
2. get oil change, but with synthetic oil
3. get yourself a good oil filter(stay away from fram)

change oil every 5-7500 miles.

do not pay $100 for a jiffy lube synthetic oil change with crap oil and filter. lol, please do not do this.

regular oil=McD's double cheeseburgers
synthetic=healthy tasty foods with exercise and everything else that keeps you healthy

 

I change mine every 5000km(~3100 miles) with syntheic oil...but then I am paranoid about my car breaking so meh. I have been letting it run a bit longer now but at teh most it has gone 7000km(~4350 miles) before I changed it. Again, I am paranoid. ou coudl easily get away with going 5000 before changing teh oil. Just as everyoen has said use a syntheric oil and a good filter.


Also, inthezoneac, what filter do you recommend that is not a Fram?

 

I change mine every 3000miles in all my vehicles and I use castol syntec with a K&N oil filter