when to change the oil ? low mileage driver .. month or miles

[vibebob]

YES, I did a search and it didn't really help as I'm just as confused as before I looked.I've had my Vibe for exactly 3 months and have 2000 miles on it. I drive to work and back, 7 miles each way (city/hwy). I check the oil weekly and it is clear. Should I have the "original" oil changed now at 3 months or wait for 3,000 miles, or at the 5,000 mark as I was told by the dealer ?I've always been under the impression that short trip miles is harder on the engine and/or oil, true ? thanks,bob

[northvibe]

I change mine every 3000 miles

[Storm]

did you change the oil at 1000 miles? if not then change the oil now, then if you drive the car everyday regardless of miles traveled change the oil every 3000-5000 miles. If you're only traveling 14 miles/day then 5000 miles is fine. If the car sits for an extended period of time, like a month, then change the oil based on time instead of mileage.Personally, I change my oil at 3000 miles with mobil1

[zionzr2]

If you only go short miles and dont seem to get anywhere near 3000 miles in 3 months... I will go 3000 or 6 months which ever comes first.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »If you only go short miles and dont seem to get anywhere near 3000 miles in 3 months... I will go 3000 or 6 months which ever comes first.That's what the Service Dept. advised me to do - at least every 6 months even if less than 3,000 miles.

[ColonelPanic]

Dad's Impala SS sits in the garage all the time, he bought it about 14 months ago and it just now is getting close to 6,000 miles on the odometer. He's been changing the oil every 3 months anyway...The dealer gave him a few free oil changes every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever came first. They weren't too happy when he kept bringing the car in every 3 months for an oil change and being waaay short of the 3,000 mark. Sorry mr. Chevy shop, we're not listening to your complaints as you brought that on yourself by offering freebies and stating every 3K or 3 months. If I were in your situation, I would probably get it changed after four or five months or 3K. I never have that luxury though, I always run out of mileage long before time. I'm overdue for an oil change right now, and I just had one done around the middle of last month.

[vibebob]

Thanks all. Storm, nope I didn't change it at 1,000 - didn't know I had to. I'll take it in to the shop this coming week.I do appreciate all the input.

[Kari]

Quote, originally posted by vibebob »Storm, nope I didn't change it at 1,000 - didn't know I had to. Neither did I...that's not something I've ever heard of doing and it's definitely not something I did in the Vibe. Is there a reason for that to be done?

[ColonelPanic]

Change at 1,000 eh? I must have missed that. It's not listed in the maintenance schedule. Is that some kind of Toyota thing?I changed mine for the first time at 1500 miles, but that's just because I was being (removed). After all, I didn't want this engine to start giving me problems, like knocking and things such as that. Oops, all that extra maintenance I've done didn't do anything other than break me financially and did nothing to prevent mechanical problems. heh

[eilros]

I change my oil every 2000 miles regardless of the type of driving I'm doing. My dad always did that and I guess I got into the habit also. It's probably a little bit of overkill but I've never had any engine problems with any vehicles I own.