What happens to the oil after three months if you haven't driven the 3,000 miles? My little window sticker shows that another oil change is do after 3 months or 3,000 miles. Do you really have to get it changed? I checked the engine oil and it is darker than when it was filled in May, but the level is still full and I have been out sick a lot with bronchitis and haven't driven even 2000 miles in the last three months and would like to save the $26 for another month or so, but not at the expense of a new engine. Any advice or ideas?

I always wait till the 3000 mile marker which is about 4- 5 months. DS is a mechanic so he keeps an eye on it for me.

I'd spend the 26$... I've had my current car for over 10 years and 207860 miles, and minimal maintenance, just by changing the oil regularly. I had my last car for 12 years by doing the same thing; If you haven't driven the full 3000 miles you could go another month. You shouldn't base an oil change on the fact that you aren't losing oil.... your car shouldn't lose oil unless there's a problem

Just wait until the 3,000 miles is up unless you do a lot of driving on dirty, dusty roads.

My dealer told me every 3000 miles is fine, and I only drive about 5000 miles a year, so mine gets changed about every 6 months, and the mechanic at the dealer said that is fine. My son is also a mechanic and says since I drive at least 10 miles with each time I am out, the oil has time to warm up and not cause condensation in the engine. It is those short 1 or 2 mile trips that are hard on the oil and engine.

I drive about 3,000 miles a year & change the oil just once a year as recommended by my mechanic. It's a 1996 with 39,000 miles on it & runs beautifully.

I change it as close to the sticker time on the window as possible!

It is YOUR decision, it is YOUR vehicle. However, a little bit of maintenance will go a LONG way to keep your vehicle in good shape so that you CAN keep it for a LONG time. The resale is better if the motor runs well too!

TreeFrog

I have had my car for 14 years! Car is 15 years old, with 188,000 + miles on it! Have the oil changed every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Only minor other issues and problems with the car in all that time. LOVE my car and hate the thought of getting another one.

I go by miles, not by time.

Way to keep the cars. Don't you think that's going green? I'm proud of you all. Mine is only seven years old with 40k miles. My oil change schedule is every 15k miles. Such an easy car to maintain. I'm in agreement with all of you. If we maintain, we can keep these cars longer and they'll serve us well.