Just a quick thing about fresh oil. In use, there are hundreds of chemical reactions going on in the oil. Many of them are bad, which is why the oil eventually needs changing, but some are actually good and create new chemicals in the oil which have a benefit (usually in terms of oxidation protection, but also in the area of anti-wear). Whilst fresh oil is good to have, lightly seasoned oil is not all bad and can offer benefits that the fresh oil can't.

The other thing to think about with respect to regular oil changes, is that every time you open up the drain plug, oil filler and filter, you introduce the chance of refitting it wrong or introducing something bad to the engine.

Don't think I am trying to argue against regular oil changes, because I am not (after all, I have shares to think about!) but to those who just follow the service schedule, don't worry! Just offering some insights.

Theres no problem with it if thats your choosing but unless Im missing your point, I also have all the above advantages including dealer stamps in the service book etc, just with an engine that see's fresh oil and filters twice as often.

When Ive sold cars on, (including Skoda's to forum members on here), its nearly always been mentioned 'oh and I liked the fact that you had the oil changed six monthly/more regularly...

One of my trips this year will be around 5000 miles - I just feel happier knowing Im setting off with fresh oil in the block just a month beforehand - maybe im a little OCD on this but it makes me happier and Ive never experienced a downside from doing it.

I'm with you on this - my service schedule is the one where the oil is changed every 9-10k - and, like you, I just feel safer and "better" knowing that the thing is being looked after.

I'm with you on this - my service schedule is the one where the oil is changed every 9-10k - and, like you, I just feel safer and "better" knowing that the thing is being looked after.

+ 1

I suppose there-in lies the difference.

I've run all 4 of my last cars to nearly 100k miles, and by that time anyone buying it doesn't seem to care less.

once a year /10k should be ample

Once a year for me would end up around 20k miles!!

So I suppose my service every 18k is about right.

I've run all 4 of my last cars to nearly 100k miles, and by that time anyone buying it doesn't seem to care less.

Probably cos they are knackered - and at an appropriate price....

runs to hide from the wrath from Llanidlouse.

I recently sold my 10 year old Peugeot 306 with 150,000 miles on it.

As you can imagine choice was plentiful yet I was able to sell it quickly and for a good 30% more than others of similar age/milage.

The buyer told me the 10K oil changes were easily worth the extra £200 he paid me.

15 oil changes will equal a heck of a lot more than the £200 extra he paid, would it not?????

So the oil and filters are all the same regardless of which service you are on, then why all this debate?

You either do it yourself,or let a garage do it, peace of mind both ways, but an individual choice.

15 oil changes will equal a heck of a lot more than the £200 extra he paid, would it not?????

I didn't do it for the resale value.

The aim was to maximise the life of the engine.

The point I was making is that service history can be equally as important on cars with older/high mileage cars as it is on newer/younger cars.

5 liters of oil and a filter could be had for £25 for the Peugeot so the extra £200 more than covered the cost of my more regular service intervals.

Win win!

So the oil and filters are all the same regardless of which service you are on, then why all this debate?

On DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) equipped cars yes, they require VW 507.00 specification oil irrespective of if they are on fixed or variable servicing.

15 oil changes will equal a heck of a lot more than the £200 extra he paid, would it not?????

I don't think thats the reason we do it. I do it to ensure engine longevity. I owned a fiesta mk4 1.25 zetec many years ago. I did oil changes every 5k miles/6 monthly and it's now with it's fourth owner and has 168,000 miles on the clock. It starts on the button, doesn't puff anything out of the exhaust that it shouldn't, is extremely quiet when running and not at all tappety and pulls like a train. I'm convinced that's due to my, my brother in laws and a work colleagues 'over' servicing! Certainly it sound a lot sweeter running than another work colleagues 1.25 fiesta that has less than 70k on the clock. :-)

I don't think thats the reason we do it. I do it to ensure engine longevity. I owned a fiesta mk4 1.25 zetec many years ago. I did oil changes every 5k miles/6 monthly and it's now with it's fourth owner and has 168,000 miles on the clock. It starts on the button, doesn't puff anything out of the exhaust that it shouldn't, is extremely quiet when running and not at all tappety and pulls like a train. I'm convinced that's due to my, my brother in laws and a work colleagues 'over' servicing! Certainly it sound a lot sweeter running than another work colleagues 1.25 fiesta that has less than 70k on the clock. :-)

Oh!

OK then.

I'm, er, convinced!

I'm not convinced, modern oil, especially synthetic doesn't need to be changed that often. IMO you are wasting money. But everyone has their own theory.

I'm not convinced, modern oil, especially synthetic doesn't need to be changed that often. IMO you are wasting money. But everyone has their own theory.

This is what I agree with. I've seen engines which are outright neglected do well over their 10,000 hours (they often outlast their hour-meters). What is 150,000 miles in hours? About 5,000 max.

No matter what you do with a car engine, it's not going to be killed by letting your oil changes run to the manufacturers limits.

Most cars are crashed, rusted, scrapped for other component failure or scrapped because people just got bored with them long before the engines wear out. In the few cases where engines do wear out before the car, it's usually a design fault or something unrelated to oil change frequency.

This is what I agree with. I've seen engines which are outright neglected do well over their 10,000 hours (they often outlast their hour-meters). What is 150,000 miles in hours? About 5,000 max.

No matter what you do with a car engine, it's not going to be killed by letting your oil changes run to the manufacturers limits.

Most cars are crashed, rusted, scrapped for other component failure or scrapped because people just got bored with them long before the engines wear out. In the few cases where engines do wear out before the car, it's usually a design fault or something unrelated to oil change frequency.

When I refer to looking after 'the engine' I don't mean just the actual block, I mean, probably more likely, the ancillaries such as the turbo etc. :-)

Your turbo's oil cleanliness requirements are the same as your engine crank and cam bearings. If the oil is good for one set of bearings, then it's good for all. Unless you've got a ford/psa 1.6.

Whilst I appreciate oil is much better now than it ever used to be I can't help thinking oil that has done 10,000 miles will offer increased protection over the same oil that has done 20,000 miles.

Sure the 20,000 mile oil will still be offering perfectly acceptable levels of protection but the younger oil will be offering more protection.

The question is how much more protection do you need, there is little point in having an engine that lasts to 500,000 miles if the body rusts away by 250,000 miles.

The simple reason I prefer regular oil changes is that the idea of having the same oil sat in the car for up to two winters and two summers is too long. £40 for fresh oil and a filter isn't going to break the bank and is worth it even if for nothing else but to put my mind at rest!

Your turbo's oil cleanliness requirements are the same as your engine crank and cam bearings. If the oil is good for one set of bearings, then it's good for all. Unless you've got a ford/psa 1.6.

Can you explain what you mean in reference to the psa 1.6 please? (pm if deemed off topic would be appreciated) :-)

In todays Telegraph motoring pages Honest John answers a very similar question re this topic with reference to a VW Golf :-

"a two year /18000 mile oil change routine is not a good idea.

Sorry, but what does that prove?

Do you honestly think that not just VAG, but many other manufacturers, know less than a newspaper hack?

Sorry, proves he's a Telegraph reader who reads other people's opinions, er, just like on here.

And I honestly don't get your drift in the second half of that post, LlaniGee.

Too many Gee and Teeze

Can you explain what you mean in reference to the psa 1.6 please? (pm if deemed off topic would be appreciated) :-)

They appear to have a bad problem with sludging up the oil, to the point where they greatly restrict internal oil flow and drop out chunks of carbon which kill turbochargers. A mate is having all those issues with his 1.6 focus.

They appear to have a bad problem with sludging up the oil, to the point where they greatly restrict internal oil flow and drop out chunks of carbon which kill turbochargers. A mate is having all those issues with his 1.6 focus.

Thanks, interesting. At least i have an agreed opinion that I'm doing the right thing for my fiesta then! ;-)

At the end of the day, I know there isn't a right or wrong answer on this topic. I know plenty of friends that put the car in for the variable service once it's asked for and have no problems whatsoever but I do it because I can (takes less than an hour) and it makes me feel more confident in the vehicles reliability. :-)