My first change was at 4500 and the oil was dirty but not enough to raise any concerns, and it did not smell bad. I did not use any oil during this period and could not see any significant quantity of metal flakes. I used to do my oil and filter every 2 thou even after I went with castrol gtx (the oil distributor I used told me it doesn't begin to break down till 5k). Synths like Mobile 1 have higher film strength than the best organics so 5k isn't bad for them. The problem as I see it is that only 4.5 qt.s would drain out of the sump. That leaves too much old lube in the motor(oil cooler and turbo loop) to suit me. From now on I will do my oil at 2.5k. If anyone knows a way to get the rest of the oil to drain I'd love to know about it as my service writer was clueless on this issue. FWIW

 

This whole oil thing has been beaten to death on this board. All the performance guys say change it to dino oil to let engine finish its break in, then use synthetic there after. They think they know more then the engineers who put the car together and they assume that the oil in the car initially is a full synthetic. I haven't seen anyone on here say or prove otherwise. If you change the oil too early you won't let the the rings seat properly and the car won't break in correctly. The manual says 5,000, it should be 5,000. It requires synthetic and recommends Mobil 1.

To take it to an extreme, my dad's SL500 recommends oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles! It uses synthetic also. Every 3,000 is overkill on a street car designed for full synthetic.

 

i like to break in my motors by driving the 1st 1k miles on regular non synth oil...then do a mobil one oilchange....the 1st 1k miles your car will prob eat up some oil...since the seals and all new parts need to soak up oil and seat correctly...once the motor is broken in stick with mobil one....now for dino oil its a good idea to change it every 3k or less...but synth can last a while....over 5k usually depending on driving habbits

 

Just about all new cars have a 5K oil change interval. So does my 2003 SVT Cobra.

But, it does state under EXTREME conditions that you should change the oil every 3000 miles.

This means if you beat the **** out of your car (ie. drag race, track, open it up A LOT) then you should do 3K intervals.

If you are nice to it, drive it to work, no track events or drag racing ... then 5K is for you.

Mike

 

ChicagoMike has it dead on.

From page 31 of our "Warranty and Maintenance Manual' I quote:

There are two maintenance schedules that show proper service for you vehicle.

First is "Regular maintenance schedule".
Follow the Regular maintenance schedule only of none of the driving conditions in the Severe Maintenance section apply.

Second is "Severe maintenance schedule".
Follow the severe maintenance schedule if your vehicle is frequently driven under one or more of the following road concessions.

- Driving on dusty, rough, muddy or salt-spread roads.
- Towing or police, taxi or commercial operation.
- Extensive idling or low speed operation.
- Repeated short-trip operation at freezing temperatures (engine not thoroughly warmed up).
- Extended use of brakes while driving.
- Driving in sandy areas.
- More than 50% operation in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 deg F (32 deg C).

end quote

The regular maintenance schedule changes the oil every 5k miles and the severe every 3k. I got my first oil change at 1500 miles (wanted to do it at 1000 but life got in the way) and I plan and using the regular maintenance plan. If you have a 500 HP Evo putting out 32 PSI boost or are using the car as a taxi then you may want to go with the severe plan. Ultimately the choice is yours. You paid the money, you know your driving situation, you do what you want .


Best wishes,
F86sabre

 

I just had my oil changed and tires rotated at El Cerrito Mitsubishi today. The car's at 4770 miles.

If you're using synthetic oil and changing it at 3k intervals, you're wasting your money. Just my $.02.

 

Amen. There is no reason to change out fully synthetic oil that soon, the whole 3000 mile interval is a bunch of crap. If you follow the MANUFACTURERS recommended maintenance schedule you shouldn't have a problem.

 

Or in otherwords how EVERY evo should be driven

 

here is a good read on engine oils... it's long i know.

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbi...oil_bible.html

i did my first oil change on 250miles, second on 1,000miles and third on 3,000 miles... and 3000 miles from that on.