When should I change my oil?

**Youngster** · 02-12-2015

I have a 2003 grand prix gt. I don't abuse it while driving, but I'll drive a bit more aggressively (acceleration) than the average driver in the summer. I heard the old 3000 mile oil change rule doesn't apply with the modern day oil we have. The car always got semi-synthetic oil changed every 3000 miles. I currently have a small oil leak and only drive 52 miles a week. Considering I put city miles on the car 90% of the time, and my driving habbit, should I still be changing my oil every 3000 miles? Roughly it comes out to changing the oil once a year if I did that. My low oil light will come on before I hit the 3000 mark usually (only had one oil change though as I bought the car this past summer). My last oil change was 2 1/2 months ago. I have 77% oil left and around 55% my low oil light will come on. I've only driven about 1000 miles since my oil change back in November. Should I just add some semi-synthetic oil and have an oil change once a year? Or should I continue getting an oil change when my low oil light comes on? 3-5 months between oil changes if I do that.
Thanks!

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 02-12-2015

Go off months if you don't reach the miles.

I only drove 5 miles a day, so I would do every 4-5 months. It was black as hell in that time frame just because the oil breaks down quickly when it never reaches proper operation temps.

I doubt the small oil leak is dumping 1-1.5 quarts on the ground in that time, unless it's super bad. Pehaps it's burning the oil, you could replace the PCV valve and see if it helps the oil eating problem.

I would check the oil often and I'm sure you do, so keep the oil level up. Don't ever let it get down the point where the low oil light comes on. You could damage the motor from not having the proper level in there. Add oil as needed, just keep an extra quart in the car somewhere.

**Jomamma** · 02-12-2015

Yes, 3,000 mile oil change

You shouldnt let your low oil light come on, check your oil level frequently.

Finally, if you have any existing oil seepage, which I assume you do due to the losing half your oil in 1000 miles, synthetic will make it worse.

**BillBoost37** · 02-12-2015

The thing to consider when you do city driving is that it's harsher on the engine and oil than cruising. Like Cam said.. go based on months.

I have pulled a lot of motors apart and there is a huge difference in build up on parts in motors that were city or longer change intervals vs 3000 mile highway changes.

**theaceofspades** · 02-12-2015

I change mine 3k on the dot everytime. Sometimes earlier if I have time and I know I'll have time

**Youngster** · 02-12-2015

Would you suggest buying semi-synthetic oil and toping it off, then getting an oil change in March or April (4-5 months) and changing to just the regular oil instead of semi-synthetic? Then once I got my oil leak fixed, go back to semi-synthetic? And during that time frame just top the oil off and get it changed every 4-5 months?

**BillBoost37** · 02-12-2015

I've used both regular and syn. The difference I saw was that syn holds up better being in an engine a little longer where you might notice a slight pressure drop on dino.

Personally.. I put the cheapest crap I can buy in my car. Ask around.. I'm not easy on it. And it just loves me every day.

**Youngster** · 02-12-2015

I'm fine with whatever oil. I just figured since it had semi-synthetic for 12 years that I should continue with that. So basically synthetic oil will make my oil leakage worse, but it lasts longer in an engine. You would recommend regular oil, topping it off, and getting it changed based on months not mileage?

**BillBoost37** · 02-12-2015

People that live in NYC have more engine troubles than most. Because they base oil changes off mileage..

To me.. 3000 miles is probably 4500 minutes of run time. aka 75 hours.
Someone in NYC traffic.. drives maybe 3 miles in 15 minutes if they are lucky. that's works out to 15,000 minutes or 250 hours. That's the equivalent of me going about 10K on an oil change. That's too much.

Next time you are driving.. figure out how many miles vs minutes you've driven. You'll want to change that oil sooner than you think.

**Youngster** · 02-12-2015

That is a really good point, thanks! I will look at that.

**BillBoost37** · 02-12-2015

no worries guy.. once in a while I'm sober enough to give out a good suggestion

**99GT2dr** · 02-12-2015

I change mine while it's still hot after driving it. Sure you might burn yourself a little, but that's the price you pay to make sure your car gets the most old oil/junk out. Do it while it's hot!

**BillBoost37** · 02-12-2015

If you want the most oil out. swap the pan.

Steel pan holds 3/8" of oil below the plug.

**bobc455** · 02-12-2015

I've heard that 50 hours of engine time is what you need for an oil change - more frequently if the car doesn't warm up very much (i.e. 1-2 mile drives then you shut it off).

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