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Do you have to change new cars oil earlier than usual?

I have a 2014 model vehicle. However since I work from home, it does not have many miles. I bought it in September 2013, it is now March 2015 . . . only has 3,500 miles on it and has yet to have the oil changed. Should I change the oil or just wait for the 'change oil' light to come on?

11 Answers

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  • 6 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Change it. Synthetic oil should be changed at the recommended mileage or 12 months. Time does wear out the additives. When putting on that few miles, the anti-corrosive additives are the first to go.

  • 6 years ago

    Your Owner's Manual will describe the break-in details, including oil change intervals. Keep in mind that the oil change intervals and types of engine lubes are only recommendations. Also keep in mind that car dealer service department will try to threaten you with voiding warranty if you drive longer than a certain number miles between oil changes. That's a groundless tactic to scare you into using only what they sell.

  • 6 years ago

    My vehicle is a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Thanks for everyone's advice. I reviewed the owners manual and it indicated never exceed 10,000 miles or 1 year between oil changes. As a result of the 1 year recommendation I went a head and got the oil changed today even though the vehicle only has 3,300 miles on it. Thanks again.

  • 6 years ago

    Check your owner's manual.

    Seems to me that, many years ago, some would recommended that the first couple of oil changes be done after fewer miles.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    the best answer is in your owners manual. the change oil light works off of the mileage on the odometer. the life span of the oil depends on two things. the number of mileage driven on them and the length of time it has been in the engine. since your not putting the normal amount of mileage on the car like an average driver does. you need to go by the time interval. on conventional oil it's around 4-6k miles or every 5-6 month. on synthetic oil it is around 8-9k miles or every 10-12 months.

  • 6 years ago

    I would have changed it at 1000 miles. new engines have a break in period and there will be a need for more frequent oil level checking and changing oil at a short interval... since you are still early on in the engines life, change it to the proper viscosity for the conditions and keep it at 3k oil (and filter) changes. i use mobil1 synthetic and change it at 3k intervals and NEVER had a problem.

  • 6 years ago

    You should change your oil every 3,000 miles. I would recommend changing a car's oil as soon as you buy it.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    I would. I would change it often at the beginning, because break-in means wear-in. And that means a lot of metal particles. The oil filter only filters some of the oil.

  • 6 years ago

    What is the *make and *model of the car? It will explain how to comprehend the *oil life monitor in the glove compartment manual.

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    No need the 3000 mile change went out with white wall tires. 5-7K is fine or whenever your light comes on

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