The car is used mainly for short trips although a few longer trips have been made. Should the oil be this dirty with 3000 mi.? Does the factory install a break-in oil or do I have a problem?
aj20031018
Favorite Answer
Since its a new car, you normally will have dirtier oil with the first oil change as the engine is just getting broken in. Those short trips shorten the life of the oil and like said above they use generic oil. If you want to go 7000-10000 miles between oil changes switch to full sythentic oil, though it costs almost 3 times more then conventional oil. So, sounds like you have perfectly normal oil so far, just make sure to keep it full and your engine should last a long time. Other then keeping air in the tires, keeping oil in the engine is the most important thing with any car.
James B
most manufacturers do not put in a special oil to break in vehicles. dirty oil at 3000 miles is normal. it usually will be black in color as long as you do not see any silver or metallic flakes in the oil it should be ok. fact is short trips around the city are harder on the oil than if you make long trips. recommended oil change intervals usually run about 3000 miles for city driving and around 7000 miles for highway driving
Tony M
At 3000 miles you need to change your oil anyway.
Actually its every 3 months or 3000 miles which ever comes first. I am surprised you waited all this time to change your oil.