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First Oil Change

113 messages,  Last post on Aug 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM

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What is this discussion about? Oil

Messages Page 8 of 12

#64 of 113 Any tips on getting a clear VW 'Oil level' reading by liviococcia

Dec 05, 2006 (3:49 pm)

Hello members
Does anyone with a VW Polo Auto(a 2001 1.4e UK model)know how to get a good clear reading off the engine oil'Dipstick', or know of a better way to get a more precise engine oil level using some other product.
 
It's just, know matter what i do to get this reading, when i pull the dipstick out of the tube, the oil seems to be smeared, and splashed above the 'Max' mark, it's obviously coming off the sides of the tube as the stick's being withdrawn.
 
I do know it's not been over filled with oil to be showing these levels, i just would like to see a clear indicator.
 
I've tried leaving the car to rest for the night, and also checking the oil after a couple of hours from being run, and always having the car on very level ground, when doing the checks.
 
Help would be grateful

#66 of 113 Re: special filter [wtd44] by kxb033

Dec 07, 2006 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: wtd44 (Apr 23, 2005 9:43 am)
krzyss-
 
I've always been taught to overchange the oil in new cars too. I just bought an 07 Camry and am debating whether or not to do it with this car. The dealer recommended just getting it changed between the regular 3-5K.
  
Would you recommend continuing this practice, even with the new cars nowadays? I used to do it with new cars I bought since I started to drive, but this is my first new car in a while, and wasn't sure if they were making cars differently now than they have in the past, where it wasn't necessary. I'm tempted to change it at 1,000 miles to make sure any "break-in" debris, metal shavings, etc are removed.

#67 of 113 attn: kxb033 by wtd44

Dec 31, 2006 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: kxb033 (Dec 07, 2006 12:32 pm)
I just keep on doing it, as you suggest. It might be good to not use a true synthetic oil on the first change, though. I say that, thinking that you would not want to "interfere" with ring seating and bearing polishing, etc.

#68 of 113 Re: A slight overfill, no problem, but.... [Mr_Shiftright] by carlo81

Jun 03, 2007 (7:25 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 09, 2005 5:36 pm)
i think i have done the same thing but check my story out i dont know what i should do any help would be perfect
KK i just got the car its an 81 monte carlo landau. theres no oil dipstick because there was an engine swap 4 a 350 and he never put it back on. most gauges dont work properly. so my dad put oil in it i figured it was 2 much cause the car started 2 smoke. then i drained it and put it right amount. now the car smokes heavily from the front only when i accelerate though. seems oil is hitting mainfold. where could the leak be coming from?

#69 of 113 Re: A slight overfill, no problem, but.... [carlo81] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 03, 2007 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: carlo81 (Jun 03, 2007 7:25 am)
Valve cover gasket probably, or just oil that was spilled previously.
 
We'll close your other topic that you started on this same subject (too small a question for an entirely new discussion).
 
 If you need to talk more about this, try this ongoing discussion:
 
Oil Change Fiascos
 
It's a good place for folks who are having trouble with oil changes to work on their problems!
 
See you there
 
MrShiftright
host
Carspace.com Forums

#70 of 113 Oil Change Intervals by waterdr

Jan 08, 2008 (8:06 pm)

Thought I would open this discussion up.......
 
The greal oil change debate will continue for many years. I generally go by what the owners manual says and I personally think changing oil at 500 or 1000 miles on a new car is a complete waste.
 
There was a GREAT study that was done about 10 years ago....I will see if I can find it. The study took a few dozen NYC cabs. The motors were torn apart before the study and the motors were speced and analyzed. They were then torn apart at the end of the study which I think was 100k miles later. Different oil change intervals were used and different oils. These cabs see pretty harsh conditions. In fact, all these cabs were driven in conditions that the manufacturer would consider "harsh" or "severe".
 
The verdict if I recall was that the #1 problem was using oil of the wrong grade! In most cases, the study determined that frequent oil changes were pointless and synthetic oil was better, but not worth the added cost.
 
The study recomended using dyno-oil (organic) and changing every 6,000 miles. Changing more frequenty added undue cost and extending the interval added wear. Though, the wear was shockingly minor.
 
Furthermore, the study considered the risk of an oil change as well. Each time you change the oil, you run the risk of someone screwing up. Perhaps too much oil, perhaps the wrong grade, or perhaps leaving the plug out. These risks/problems are frequent enough to increase the risk to the owner by changing oil too often.
 
Additionally, oil changes are time consuming too.
 
There are a number of large fleets that took this study and employed it for use. My employer, for example, owns about 10,000 vehicles and they went from insisting on oil changes every 3,000 miles to 5,000 and then 6,000 miles. Fleet managers are truly experts at understanding this stuff and managing risk. We typically put 80,000 to 120,000 miles on our cars and need them to last.....sure, perhaps not 300,000 miles.
 
I own three vehicles. My Saab gets oil every 15k....that is what the book says. My Mustang (Supercharged - 450 hp car), gets new oil twice a year regardless of miles, but I only put 4 - 5k per year. Car is not under warranty, but I also measure the amount of oil I put in and get out to see how much...if any I am burning. My Suburban, which I recently traded, got oil whenever the engine oil life sensor came on (about 4500 miles). I run Mobil I in everything, buy it from Walmart, and generally do the changes myself except on the Saab.
 
My new Chrylser has free oil changes every 3k miles, so might as well get them.
 
So, I guess I don't eactly follow the study - lol

#72 of 113 Re: Oil Change Intervals [waterdr] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 09, 2008 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: waterdr (Jan 08, 2008 8:06 pm)
I occasionally see a comment about "those metal shavings" in the engines of new cars, to which I think to myself "GEEZ, I hope not!".

#73 of 113 Re: Oil Change Intervals [waterdr] by wtd44

Jan 18, 2008 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: waterdr (Jan 08, 2008 8:06 pm)
I change oil and filter on a 3K basis, and don't worry about even several hundred miles of variance for convenience. I am convinced that my vehicles are safe as a result. I seek and continue to find bargains on mineral oil, thus negating the expense involved. Filters of full adequacy can also be found at modest cost. I do my own changes, and use the episodes as opportunities to inspect my vehicles in areas not regularly viewed. All is good that protects the owner's property, I would say.

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