the A4 oil change interval is about 5000 miles and tha new Accord's is about 7000 miles. Is the difference based on the fact that the Accord is a newer, more efficient design or that the A4 has a turbo and is designed to run harder (100 mph) all day long thereby going through oil more quickly? what do you guys think?

Turbo....<p>The A4 2.8 has an oil change interval of 7500 miles (perhaps the result of a newer, more efficient design ;-)<p>Alex

I thought at one time some folks posted that the 5K interval was influenced by the tradition of 3k changes in the US.

The 1.8T engine has a 5000 mi change interval. Alex has it spot-on for the 2.8. The shorter interval for the turbo is due to the temperature extremes that the oil experiences in the turbo bearings, as well as some "miscellaneous" contamination that comes about as a result of increased cylinder pressure. <p>Then again, it may just be that Audi has recently purchased stock in a major oil company and wishes to enhance its revenue stream. ;-)<p>Then again, I may just be FOS!<p>Steve

but today's oils and engines are designed to go much further between oil change intervals. In Europe, manufacturers spec longer intervals between changes (~10k miles). Consumers are so entrenched in the 3K hooey that Audi and others established the 5 - 7.5k cycle. I read the long-term test of the BMW Z3 in C&D and they reported oil changes at 9k and 22k! (based on the enine mgmt service lights).

I think that regardless of which interval the manufacturer suggests, they all recommend that you change the oil at smaller intervals if you drive under extreme conditions. Then they go on to define extreme conditions as:<p>- driving in dirty/dusty conditions<br>- frequent short trips<p>Could it be that US drivers are more prone to take short trips than European drivers? After all, we pay much less for gas, so we don't think twice about running a single errand. Perhaps Europeans do think twice about just taking a drive? I know I've driven to the store to get something frivolous, and sometimes I've gone driving just for something to do. These short trips are not good for the car.<p>Anyway, I was just thinking off the top of my head about the differences in oil change intervals for US vs. Europe, and the other factors that might influence these decision.<p>Comments?<p>Drew S.<br>

I change my own oil (not in my A4 but it's not had its first service yet), and I see no reason to wait even 5000 mi between changes. The price of 5 qts of dino oil and a good filter (Wix the local favorite)is ~ $8, so what's the big deal? This is ~ 1/2 tank of gasoline (okay, 1/4 or 1/6 in Europe). It's cheap insurance. Takes me five minutes in my Rubasu & my Z. Do it after work every 3-4 months.<p>For my A4, I am using Mobil 1 (~$20 for oil) and will use the 5K mi interval recommended by Audi. after warranty I might do it more frequently, but probably not.<p>Keeping the oil changed in your car is the single best thing you can do for it. While you're in there, check out your spark plugs(lots of info on how your motor's doing esp near the 30K change interval), hoses & wires, etc & see how your baby's doing. <p>My $0.02<p>Darryl<br>98.5 1.8T qms<br>95 Outback m<br>81.5 280 ZX m<br>

The oil change interval for the 97 1.8T is 7500 miles, just like the 2.8. I think Audi changed the interval to 5000 miles for the 98 model year 1.8T to appease the American jiffy lube indoctrinated masses.<p>Bert

Isn't changing < 5k miles excessive? If you're running synthetic oil that will last over 10k miles without breakdown, why change it? If Audi recommends intervals of 5k, why not follow that? Think of your civic responsibility, man! All of that wasted, used motor oil spilled into the environment, what a waste.<p>Mick<br>98 2.8qm

Oil in the environment!??!! Everyone, please, find a parts shop or local mechanic that will take your old oil. I have never had to pay to have my oil taken away and recycled. In fact here in the Bay Area (SF, CA), my local garbage collector takes old oil and sells it to a recycler.<p><br>Mike

Since I'm using synthetic, I'll stick to the 5K mi change interval, but not longer. No way I'll leave oil in my engine for 10K mi or even close. That marketing bull*** is just that, esp from amsoil (recommended interval 25K mi w/ an oil filter change at 12.5K mi). If I had a 2.8, like you do, I'd change the oil every 3750 mi and probably go with dino oil. I'd consider going 7500 mi on synthetic, but it'd be a tough call for me.<p>What's your oil change habit, Mick?<p>Darryl<p>98.5 1.8T qms

SAME engines in the Mercedes Benz cars, but the service interval for a MAJOR service (not oil change) has been increased to 100,000 miles. Keep in mind, SAME ENGINES, no changes, and then all they do is change the plugs. I am not sure what the 98 and before intervals are, but this just seems interesting to me. A Mercedes dealer explained this to me. I didn't ask if the 98 owners could just "skip" their services until 100,000 miles without voiding their warranties, but I would suspect that many of our engines, Audi, MB, BMW, Honda, Toyota have intervals built in to them not based upon actual engine durability, but "traditional" service requirements. What will the dealers do when all they see is a car for an oil change every so often? <p>Oh well.<p>Kirk