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Oil Change Interval - Life in Southern Italy

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:06 pm
by TechTMW
Didn't know if I should put this in the Funny Farm or not ... It's mildly bike related (Internal combustion engines !!!!)

I took my 2002 VW Beetle (Turbocharged) to the dealer the other day to buy full synth oil. I usually change my oil (always full synth, w/ factory oil filter) every 10,000 miles (about once a year for that car).

Now, petroleum products in Italy are generally overpriced, and you can usually only find full synth oil at a dealership. So, my total bill for oil and filter was just under 100 euro (about $120.) I do the actual change myself. (It's cheaper, plus I don't trust anyone to put full snth in ... I am suspicious that they will put regular in and charge me for the good stuff)

Here in southern Italy, the average salary is pretty freakin low, and the average car is pretty old/beat up. It's a wonder they ever change their oil at all (They probably don't) I mean, most of these people can't afford heating fuel for the winter months, so it's no surprise that the cars don't get their oil changed frequently.

Anyway, just for fun, I asked the certified VW tech what he thought the proper oil change interval for my car should be. He responded ...

30,000 km's or two years with that oil should be about right for your car. Which is over 18,000 miles :laughing:

I can see some of the more ana of you shaking your heads in disgust right about now, but consider, here in Southern Italy there are literally a TON of older cars on the road. Probably 60 - 70% of them are 10 years or older. And they are all running ... and have probably had their oil changed very little. Interesting. I'm going to stick to my one-year 10,000 mile oil change. But it makes you think that the fabled "3,000 mile oil change" is a little silly if you are running a synthetic oil.

DISCLAIMER If you are using cheap dino-oil, stick w/ the 3,000 mile interval.

Re: Oil Change Interval - Life in Southern Italy

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 10:31 pm
by Skier
TechBMW wrote:
DISCLAIMER If you are using cheap dino-oil, stick w/ the 3,000 mile interval.
The results from the latest oil sample analysis from Blackstone Labs suggests I can extend the OCI (oil change interval) from my usual of 3,000 to 3,500 on dino oil to 5,000 without a problem. In fact, the report's comments come right out and say I should try 5,000 miles. I could most likely go even longer, but I get fuel dilution since most of my driving is short city trips when it's too cold to take the bike.

Synthetic isn't the end-all, be-all of lubrication. If you're serious about knowing what's going on with your engine's oil, pony up $20 and get your oil analyzed. If nothing else, hey, it's lots of cool stuff to know. :)