Dock

Well, I already provided an answer earlier in this thread (see post #5), but I will expand on it here...my actual mileage between oil changes varies. I have gone 7,000-8,000 miles, and I have gone with as low as ~4,500 miles (though the 4,500 miles was a time interval change, not a mileage change). I have used a (roughly) one year change trigger, and I have also used a two year change trigger.

Additionally, you might want to look at jb's post again; he goes 5-6k mile between oil changes (6k obviously more than your stated 5k upper mileage limit).

larry47us

Really, I think that you're picking nits. I said 3K - 5K, and JB goes 5 - 6K. That's not much different. I was wondering about whether people were going 10K between changes. Doesn't seem like anyone is doing that. At least no one that is talking.

larry

Dock

And I've gone over 7,000 between changes.

avader906

As religious as this topic is, the oil change is the basic maintenance procedure and saving $$$ on it is unjustifiable compared to benefits it brings. I would tend to notice that any mechanic and/or race car owner will side with safety and will rather see oil change as frequent as halfway through a race weekend. On a street only (and non-turbocharged) car, it is really the function of all the factors mentioned in this thread - highlighting viscosity and climate - but good practice would dictate at least once a year (in spring) or every 3k-5k miles. The procedure itself has preventive benefits in that you can inspect the oil filter and the oil itself.

SimonK

With today oil quality I think 3-5k is overkill. I change mine at 10k. I figured halving Porsche recommendation is enough.

Danyol

Simon, are Porsche UK recommending 20k?

SimonK

Yes. But not just Porsche uk. Maintenance schedule I have says 20k. I think 10k is perfectly fine if car isn't tracked. Porsche is constantly upping the interval. I was told by Porsche tech that oils have improved no end and are 100% good for 20k.

Danyol

Remember Simon, Porsche interest in engine and turbo wear is only up to the end of warranty. Then it's your lookout, you sure that's not KM? Porsche US is at 12k but the warranty is 4 years. Could it be the UK Warrantee is 2 years? Would that be a coincidence...inquiring minds would like to know? It's a business; ask that mechanic when he'd change the oil on HIS turbo.

SimonK

Agreed. But yes sure about UK = 20k. And USA is 15k.

http://mysite.verizon.net/resqir1s/P...aintenance.pdf

SimonK

Just realised, my car is 2005 and thats when the interval went to from 15k to 20k. 997 turbo went to 20k also. As I said, oil quality progress.

Danyol

For the US cars

2001 - 2005 12k miles
2005 - 2007 20k miles
2008 12k miles
2009 - 2010 10k miles

US Warranty 4 years/50k miles. I think the engines were essentially identical during this period, with improving oils why reduce the intervals?

Dock

2002 = 15,000 miles.

Edit: actually all 996 Turbos are 15,000 miles (there is a time interval consideration as well).

avader906

i mean come on, waiting 20k miles to replace engine oil is like changing tires once fully corded through. some replace tires once not happy with the grip, others actually like to see the oil color and read up on viscosity and oxidation.

Danyol

DOC, I downloaded the current PDF from Porsche NA, maybe i'm reading incorrectly; waiting on a flight, had nothing better to do :-)

larry47us

IMHO waiting for 20K miles to change your oil is like playing Russian roulette with a $20,000 engine. I have thought about trying to extend the oil change interval on my car from 5,000 to 7,500 miles. But, considering the cost of the engine, and the occasional strain I put on it, I don't know that I'm willing to risk going to even 7,500 miles, much less 20,000.

When I was a wee lad, my dad changed the oil on our detroit iron religiously every 3,000 miles. He routinely ran his cars to well over 100,000 miles with no engine work. Now we just laugh at putting 100K on a car engine, with Toyotas, Subarus and others running over 200K miles. That being said, I can't say that it's good engine care if you are only change your oil every 15K or 20K miles. Unless, of course, you are planning on selling your car when it hits 75K miles and get another one.

But, in those situations, are you going to be willing to tell the buyer that you have followed Porsche guidelines and changed the oil every 15K miles? I wonder how many of those buyers would run for the exit. I know that I would.

larry