how often do you guys think u should do oil change? do u think the more frequent the better
01-15-2006, 07:06 AM
#11
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Every 5k kms. I do it on the 5's so it's easy to remember when to do it.
This is exactly the same thing I do. Driving longer on same oil produces sludge deposits (we all know what was happening to 1.8T engines).
Zoran in Toronto
Zoran in Toronto
01-15-2006, 09:57 AM
#15
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With fully synthetic oil you can go to once per year or
16,000 km (10,000 miles) and you should.
Synthetic oils actually last longer than that but the filters can't be made big enough to go much longer. Some people say you need to change the filter once between oil changes but the manufacturers know that you don't.
Modern emission controlled engines are squeaky clean inside compared to older engines. The oild made today do not break down nor do they carbonize, even in turbo engines.
In fact, even conventional oils can be made to go these extended drain intervals even for turbo engines.
Remember that ever time you change the oil the bearings run with no oil pressure for a short period as the pump primes the filter and oil galleires are pressurized. Most of the wear that occurs to crank and cam bearings and surfaces is during start up and most wear occurs right after an oil change. Less is better.
Now the "common wisdom" is that more frequent changes are better. The technical information proves otherwise.
Anecdotal evidence? I use this change interval, drive very hard much of the time and have several cars with over 100,000 miles on the engines (160,000 km...one went to 295,000 km and is still running fine for the new owner) with NO oil consumption beyond what they experienced when brand new and properly run in. In the case of my newer car with this kind of mileage the oil consumption is practically zero and I do mean zero. I never have to top up the oil between changes.
In fact, I've never had an oil related engine issue.
Synthetic oils actually last longer than that but the filters can't be made big enough to go much longer. Some people say you need to change the filter once between oil changes but the manufacturers know that you don't.
Modern emission controlled engines are squeaky clean inside compared to older engines. The oild made today do not break down nor do they carbonize, even in turbo engines.
In fact, even conventional oils can be made to go these extended drain intervals even for turbo engines.
Remember that ever time you change the oil the bearings run with no oil pressure for a short period as the pump primes the filter and oil galleires are pressurized. Most of the wear that occurs to crank and cam bearings and surfaces is during start up and most wear occurs right after an oil change. Less is better.
Now the "common wisdom" is that more frequent changes are better. The technical information proves otherwise.
Anecdotal evidence? I use this change interval, drive very hard much of the time and have several cars with over 100,000 miles on the engines (160,000 km...one went to 295,000 km and is still running fine for the new owner) with NO oil consumption beyond what they experienced when brand new and properly run in. In the case of my newer car with this kind of mileage the oil consumption is practically zero and I do mean zero. I never have to top up the oil between changes.
In fact, I've never had an oil related engine issue.
01-15-2006, 10:01 AM
#18
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
15,000 is CONSERVATIVE with synthetic oils
Just out of curiosity, what does Audi specify using only conventional oil or does Audi insist on fully syntehtic oil?
Either way, what does the factory recommend?
Either way, what does the factory recommend?
01-15-2006, 10:04 AM
#20
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not correct, sludging is an oil formulation issue and
only a problem for some European engines using the oils approved for the North American market instead of the oils spec'd for Europe. As is common, the North American market is behind the Europeans from an engineering point of view, and so are the Japanese, but they build better cars!
Using the wrong oil for shorter periods will NOT solve any sludging issues, if these are real issues which seems somewhat doubtful.
Using the wrong oil for shorter periods will NOT solve any sludging issues, if these are real issues which seems somewhat doubtful.