1st oil change vs Current mileage

[NightmareMoon]

First change, between 500-1000 miles. It burned oil at a reasonable rate so I’d have to put in a 0.4-1.5qt or so between oil changes. Motor lasted 98k before spinning a bearing on an autocross run. Car was a daily driver for the first 7 years, but did well over 100 days of autocross, texas heat all year, many track days (~35) and saw redline constantly. When it died the bearing was lost bouncing off redline in a sustained 1+g corner for 4 seconds, and the stock GT oil system / block from 2016 isnt built for that, frankly, but I’m guessing it was combined wear from doing that sort of thing quite a lot.

Based on that I’d change the oil more often, and I’d use a higher quality oil than the over the counter motorcraft. I am doing that with the new motor which will see Amsoil and 5w50 Motorcraft full synthetic if I cant find Amsoil when I need it. Even when just doing daily and autox duty (no track) 10k interval and Motorcraft non-synthetic was obviously too long based on engine sounds alone.

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[Sparky1337]

The oil life meter runs on time but the oil itself isn't going bad in 6 months or even a year with only 3k miles on it.

I always wonder what people thing magically happens after 1 year to their oil that they have to change it even though they only have a couple thousand miles on it.


Some of them do...but the engineers don't run the show. Bean counters, marketing, dealerships, everyone has a hand in it.

Those same engineers walked back their 5W20 oil recommendations. They also say your 10R80 never needs the fluid changed. So on and so forth.

Honestly, I’m also every 5k or 12 months. I do so many short trips that the oil generally reeks of fuel. I’ve been dailying it here and there and it’s been better but I’d rather not have fuel in my oil for thousands of miles. Replacing $40 of oil a year is cheaper than putting in new motor because I scored something

All my other cars I changed it every 10k as my commute was 140 mile round trip for years. Now I’m lucky if I drive 20. Usually it’s less than 5.

It really depends on the application and how it’s used.