Its "summer time" so if your changing oil this should work fine.
I find its better to change oil with a premium mineral more often (5000km) than run fully synthetic every 15,000km
Nulon Premium Mineral 15W-40 Everyday Engine Oil 5L $14.99 - 50% off @ Repco
Last edited 21/10/2014 - 12:45 by 1 other user
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A nice new clean oil filter also helps at 5000km vs a 15000km filter change
I don't always go that far, I'll sometimes skip one unless I happen to have some filters lying around (i usually buy them in lots in advance anyway). My filters are under $10 so it's a small expense when you consider what other running costs are on a car.
With the additive packs they use these days in pretty much all consumer and higher grade oils, 15,000km services wont cause any excessive wear at all on bearings/oil rings etc. Its time more then anything not the distance that breaks oil down.
The only time you should be considering doing additional changes to the service logbook reccomendation is when your operating the vehicle in severe conditions, so very short trips, dusty + wet conditions and high load applications (towing constantly etc)
We have done various amounts of testing using delo 400/RX super on various service intervals over different types of cummins motors, and the oil analysis came back with minimal difference in lubrication coefficent between one that was changed out at 25,000 and one at 50,000. The only big difference was the amount of carbon suspended within the oil, it was 18% more.
With the use of centrifugal oil filters we have motors now that will do 100,000km between changes.
Or when your stuck in traffic.. you may only do 2000km but have spent the equivalent of 20,000km freeway driving in hours spent on the road.
idling when the motor is at normal operating temp wont effect your oil change interval, its only when its cold is when wear occurs.
but driving 4-6 meters, stop/starting for hours in traffic will.
@Copie, are you saying that I have to change my oil even though the car has been sitting in the garage most of the time? I bought my car brand new in late 2006 and now is only doing 12K. Should I change it at the mileage interval or by time (ie every six month)?
Thanks in advance
oil exposed for that length of time means eventually the additive pack will break down and can cause a sediment/sludge buildup at the bottom of the sump. There is no specific timeframe on how long this process can take.
OK. Understood. thanks for the info.
@tesla: for $14.99 you can have clean new oil
My X-Trail 2008 (ODO: 170K) is also being used for 1.5KM short drive to train station regularly. Any oil change interval/type recommendations please?
15w-40 is pretty "thick" even for summer for newer cars, at least those less than 10 years old. Better for engine and fuel economy with the 5w-30 semi-synthetics which should cover for most Australian winters and summmers.
Seriously from 2006 12k without an oil change? Better get it changed ASAP and the oil-filter as well as all the other fluids. You might need to change your tyres too, after 7 years rubber becomes kinda dodgy even if you dont use it.
Yup. Last I heard it was a good idea to remove all fluids when putting a car into storage… lol
15-40 is typically used in diesels, or maybe a fairly worn engine (old V8's and maybe old V6's). I wouldn't put it in anything else unless expressly specified.
My diesel is 5W-40.
Curious why a diesel would use such a thick cold viscosity? I understand worn engines, but why would a diesel be much different from a similar aged petrol. I really do want to know, not having a go or anything.
He should have said big diesels really. My 2.7l ones use 0W-40. 15W-40 is specifically not recommended for my diesel engines.
I don't like to wait 15,000 regardless of oil type. I'll even do one of our cars every 7,500 which runs fully synthetic. Completely overkill I know, but considering I'm always getting oil at >50% off it's not that bad. I wouldn't if I was paying the $60-70 full price some cost.
On my last car which used mineral I did 5000km changes also. Though each to their own, a slower change isn't necessarily going to do serious damage :)