Guys, here is my dilemma. I just bought a leftover 04 Ralliart. I am getting the free 3 year maintenance. That, however, only covers the 7500 mile oil changes. I know my driving doesn't fall under the severe schedule. I am pretty sure also that the dealer uses dino oil, and 7500 miles is a lengthy interval with that oil, too long in my book. So, if I'm going to wind up paying for every other change anyway, I'm considering changing the oil myself, with synthetic, every 7500 miles. Anyone else consider this, and do what I'm considering?

Also, does anyone have the Mitsubishi part number for the oil filter for our Ralliarts?

Thanks. Joe.

Fram has allready come out with a filters:
ExtraGuard PH9688 oil of course
Air Filters CA8208
PCV Valves FV266

The oil filter evidently is NOT the same as the 4g64. I know it's not the mitsubishi part # but I figured if you're trying to save money, you're probably looking at oil filters too! Hope this helps.

i usually change mine every 4-5k cause im a granny driver. 7500 yeah is a tad too long to go for an oil change. And unlike some other people, please dont believe the hype that synthetic is going to make your car faster .

i have changed mine with/ synthetic since day 1, never over 3000 miles

You also have to CHECK it every now and then, if you are at 4 thousand and your oil isnt low or filthy then you are alright, there is nothing etched in stone saying that if you dont change your oil every however many miles that you are hurting your engine. The only oil that doesnt really apply to this rule is diesel, which gets filthy almost right after you change it.

Just have the dealer do it for you every 7,500 and have him charge you for the synthetic oil, minus the price of the regular oil.

Don't use Fram oil filters, they are terrible.

i get my oil changed every 2k-2500 miles

CDO, your idea is my second option. I wonder what that charge will be. I guess I'll just have to call a dealer to find out. I have no worries about going 7500 miles between changes as long as it's synthetic. I'm just not so sure I trust the mech. is going to use synthetic. I just came over from the VW family, having owned two previous Passats. I've been changing my own oil for the last 5 years. Guess I'll just have to grin and bear it. Thanks all for the info. Joe.

Right now I'm changing my oil with full synthetic every 6,000 miles (I obviously check it occasionally, too), even though I have the free maintenence plan. I'm still dropping it by the dealership every 7,500 miles so they can do everything else, I just ask them to not change the oil. Mitsu will not use synthetic under the free maintenence plan, though if you bring your own oil, they'll use that if you ask nicely.

For an oil filter, I'm using the factory mitsu ones. Stay away from Fram filters. I don't have a part number for the Mitsu ones, though, I'm out (i buy them a few at a time)

Thanks, Otter. That's what I'm leaning toward. I am also a preferred Amsoil customer, so I can get their oil at a discount. I may do the oil myself for piece of mind, and let them do everything else. Thanks. Joe.

Of the syinthetic oils wich brand would be better to use. Or does it makes no difference wich brand I use. Thanks

Most popular is usually Mobil 1 (used in Evos by dealerships I believe). Some people swear by Royal Purple and Amsoil, though are not as easy to find and are more expensive.

My dealer charged me $26.25 for 5 qts. of Mobil 1 when I had my oil changed. A gallon at a store here is approx. $20 so dealer mark-up wasn't bad at all.

I also won a free oil change at the dealer (for non-synthetic) and they told me that they'll just charge me $20 for the oil change.

If you're worried about them switching oil on you, ask if you can watch. I asked them if I could watch them work on my Eclipse once and they were more than happy to have me hover over them.

Mobil 1 is the ONLY oil covered for the Evo's warranty, I specifically asked to see the maint requirement for them. On a different note, what's wrong with the Fram filters? I have never heard anyone say they were crap before and I'm wondering why you guys think so? Do you know someone that had a bad experience with them or what? I used Frams on all my cars since 89 with no problems, was I just lucky?