Should I change my oil

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
07/01/2015 at 11:28 • Filed to: None

In trying to decide whether or not I should. The car was switched to fill synthetic and according to the sticker it needs to be changed at 44,300. I’m at 44,200. But no message popped up on my dash. The date spot on the sticker is empty. I just don’t want to waste at least $50. What do you think?

DISCUSSION (16)

Herr Quattro - Has a 4-Motion > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 11:32

I’d change it...

I mean if you ship it to yourself, by the time you get it you'll have reached 44300

Rico > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 11:33

When was it switched to synthetic? Can the dealership you got it at provide that info?

Alfalfa Romeo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 11:33

Look at the change interval in the manual, rather than the sticker. But changing it 100 miles before then wouldn’t really be a waste of money. Just reset the service light yourself if it goes off afterwards. (Or find a friend who can do it. It’s not difficult. )

Tohru > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 11:43

The sticker means nothing and recommended change intervals are bullshit. Your car presumably has an oil life monitor, yes? Follow that alone.

AM > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 11:53

I’d say check the oil (if you still can in newer Volvo’s) and see what it looks like. If it looks like it should be changed then go ahead and do it. Also, read the manual and keep an eye on the oil life monitor if you have one rather than going by the sticker itself because different cars have different service intervals.

I know in my Yukon the oil life monitor will says there's like 30% left when the date/mileage on the sticker comes up.

BigBlock440 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 12:15

How many miles was it last changed at?

E92M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 12:39

Just follow the oil life monitor. Chances are the transmission will die before the engine, and have you donating the car to a charity or scraping it. No sense spending a few hundred dollars extra over the life of the car so the engine has slightly less wear. The scrap yard pays by wieght, and could careless how often you changed the oil.

Ike > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/01/2015 at 13:10

Iirc the c30 has a oil life moniter, but the “book time for maintenace” message pops up based on the service manual’s sudjestion. I always just followed that, I used full synthetic but if the cat said change it i did. Weird five banger gets what it wants

boxrocket > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/02/2015 at 00:54

Like others said, check it. You may be able to go for longer intervals with full synthetic. My Mazda’s change interval is 7500 full synthetic or 5000 conventional, IIRC. Changing prematurely is wasting money and oil, but changing late is risky and potentially catastrophic.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > BigBlock440
07/02/2015 at 01:15

That’s the big issue.. I have no clue. Sadly it came with no records of service. I was just going off the window sticker.

I know my old car had the moniter which told me oil percentage but I don’t think I check iton this I kinda have to wait for it to show

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Rico
07/02/2015 at 01:16

I’m assuming fairly early in its life.. Seems like the first time it was changed back in 08. The PO had it done at an Indy shop and I have no records

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > AM
07/02/2015 at 01:24

According to the book in supposed to have a rather detailed 45k mile service. That includes the oil change as well. So...I guess I’m like 700 miles early. That schedule is based off of regular oil not synthetic though. Either way I’ll probably wait til I’m right around 45k and have it all done

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Alfalfa Romeo
07/02/2015 at 01:25

The book says at 45k I’m supposed to have a few things done including the change of oil. So I’m like 700 miles early. Makes me assume all the lights will come on soon then! I think they have the schedule based on regular oil not synthetic but I’ll have them change it so at least I’ll be in control

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Ike
07/02/2015 at 01:27

I seem to be about 700 miles early compared to the book. I’ll get it done soon since I’m assuming the book time message will be showing up soon.

Love how you worded that though!I do love my five banger!

BigBlock440 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/02/2015 at 07:39

You’re probably ok going over, but an oil change isn’t really that expensive. It’s one of the first things I do when I get an new car as long as it’s not clearly new oil, that way I know when it was last changed.

AM > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/02/2015 at 11:01

Looks like you’re just about ready for the 45k service interval so definitely change the oil to when you reach it just to be on the safe side.