How often to change oil?
 

Hey all

Newby question. I've look in the owner manual about the oil change frequency and all it say is: Oil change should be done frequently as per your schedule maintenance.

But I dont have the schedule maintenance, so how often should it be done. The last 2 car I bought were schedule to every 8000km (5000miles) Honda fit and Scion tC. But my older MR2 MKI was at every 5000km (3000 miles) So with a Posrche in between in age, should I do it at 3000miles or 5000miles?

Thanks
Chris

Every 15,000 miles or when you are comfortable doing so. I do mine every 5,000 miles.

I do mine every 1k

Every 5,000 here.

Everyone has a different approach on this. Porsche recommends every 15k. I think the majoriity of owners do it around 5k. I tend to be between 3-5k. Serves 2 purposes: good engine maintenance and an opportunity to see if I am having an IMS issue by monitoring for metal shavings in the filter.

I also change it before storing in the winter.

5K for me, 5-40 Castrol Syntec.

+ 1 But I use 10w-40 Castrol Syntec. :)

Due to my minimum miles per year I do mine every January. Usually less than 2k on the clock. I switched this year to Castrol 5-40. I also do the usual inspection of everything, i.e. cutting apart the filter and examining the magnetic drain plug. I think the Porsche recommended change intervals are too long. Just my opinion.

sean

With a magnetic drain plug, any reason not to just change the filter and cut that open for inspection every 1-2K rather than dump 9 quarts of Synthetic every time?

Previous poster was correct - Porsche schedule calls for 15,000 mile intervals.

Mobil 1 10W-40 High Mileage every 3K miles or 4-6 track days, which ever comes first (usually the track days comes first because my daily commute is pretty short).

Might be overkill but the engine gets a real workout on the track and there's not much else to be done to help engine longevity and reliability.

On Pedro's forum, he suggested on higher mileage cars, use Mobil-1.. 15W 50.

Every year, prior to winter hibernation:

987S Every 5-7,000 miles. First 4 years used Red Line 5W40. Now running Mobil 5W50 (hard to find oil). Blackstone UOA's are excellent.

993TT Every 5,000 miles. Running Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50 (yes, a motorcycle oil). UOA's are also excellent.

*Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner prior to oil change.

Why the switch from Red Line? I switched to their 5W40 last oil change and could not be happier.

Every 10,000km using Agip 5W40.

At the end of every driving season (~8000 km or 5000 miles), Castrol 5W-40. I'd use 10W-40, but we Canadians aren't allowed that weight.

Red Line is an excellent product, in my experience. I switched to Mobil 1 for a few reasons:

1) I wanted to try something different

2) The only Porsche approved 5W50 is Mobil 1's

3) I wantd to use a 5W50

I'll run the 5W50 for at least 2 driving seasons (2011 and 2012). This will give me enough time to get an accurate read on the UOA's. Then I'll decide if I'm staying with it, going back to Red Line or try another quality product (maybe Motul).

Why do you guys wait so long before changing your massage oil ? I change mine after every rub down .

Since this post has predictably turned into a discussion of which oil is best, I'll put in my 2 cents worth.

I was first convinced that, based on several on line sources, I should use a heavier weight oil, I used both 15-50 and 20-50 for "flush" oil changes of about 1k miles each (I just got my car and the previous owner went long on the oil change intervals), both to try to get rid of the start up rattle and since I live in Miami Florida where its always hot, to protect against heat breakdown of oil. The heavier weight oils made no demonstrable difference in start up clatter.

Then I read the article below and I am a now a convert to M1 0-40. The long and the short of the article is that oil flow is what is important. You want as much volume going through the motor as possible at all times. Since 0-X weight oil is thinner when cold than a 5, 10, 20-X oil, it will provide more volume while the motor is warming up.

And remember, oil temp lags behind coolant temp during warmup. My Durametric shows that oil temp is about 10 C degrees behing coolant temp until the coolant gets close to 90 C, which takes a good 20 minutes in my car with combined city/highway driving. Once its up to temp, the oil temp is a little less than 10 C hotter than the collant temp, in the 100-105 C. range.

Once the oil is hot, the viscosity in now at 40, which at the oil temps I am running, is more than enough to protect the motor. Now, if I were running my car on the track, oil temps might be significantly higher, so I might consider a heavier oil.

But for the type of driving I do, I am convinced a 0-40 oil will protect the engine better during the crucial warm up, which if you do a lot of short trip city driving, will be a big portion of the time you are driving your car.


http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-boxster-tech/60791-calling-all-engineers-motor-heads.html

I used to have Motul 0-40 with Ester in my MR2. Good or not for the Boxster? I'm Canadian and will run the car all winter long. -20C or even -30C is usual here.

wawa

The first choice should be 10W40 year round use. At least summer. If you are in a realy cold climate, 5W40 for winter. If you can't get 10 weight, just go with 5 weight. 0 is not recomended. These engines run very hot so stay with 40 or higher.

WRONG. I am not aware of a single Porsche approved 10W40 oil.

I change my oil once a year in the fall after around 2500 to 3000 miles; Castrol Syntec 10W40 is my oil of choice. LN Engineering, Jake Raby and JFP in PA all recommend oils other than Mobil 1 0W40, for obvious breakdown characteristics.

My '02 S with 21k on the clock has no start up noise or other issues.

Not to get into an oil debate, but I wouldn't put Mobil 1 in my lawn tractor.

Thank you for providing a link to this most excellent (and very long) article. Everyone here should read the entire article before drawing conclusions regarding their choice of oil and/or change intervals. I've always been happy with Mobil1 0-40 every 5000 miles or spring and fall. Having read this article, I think I'll stick to my plan. Flame on, boys!

You need to read-up on L&N's recommendations, because your statement above is inaccurate, at best.

You need to drive your Boxster more! 21,000 miles in 9 years? That's crazy. Olive Oil would hold up well in that environment.:)

My Toro lawnmower is +18 years old. Only lawn mower I've ever owned. I wish it would die, so I can justify buying a new one, but it won't. Still starts on the first pull. I've used Mobil and Red Line in it.

My rull of thumb
 

They way I have been doing it for years, is 3,000 miles or 3 months which ever comes first, and that is with all my vehicles. and as for which oil to use i use Mobile 1.
But everyone has their own opinion.

5k-7k miles, or twice a year, whenever i can get it to the shop.

Wow. After reading that article I'm afraid to put coco butter on my face; never mind choosing the right engine oil . So what's the verdict for normal to "spirited" street
driving ? Either 0-30 or 10-30 synthetic ?

JD,

The Porsche approved oil list doesn't have any 30 grade oils listed on it -- pretty much 0W-40 and 5W-40 (couple of 50 grades) and all are synthetics.

After my factory fill, I used Motul 8100 5W-40 for 3 oil changes and Mobil 1 5W-40 (TDT) for 2 changes. I just recently changed the oil and have started using Redline 5W-40. Although the previous oils gave me good UOA reports, the car always would have valve train startup noise. With Redline, that noise is now gone.

I change my oil at approx 7500 mile intervals, mainly because the Porsche oil tests are run for approx 200 hrs which roughly equates to 6000 miles driven.

BTW, as we've both seen, summer is fading fast in our area so don't worry about the coco butter :)

Regards,
paul...
PS: Tried to upload my UOA history (pdf) but it didn't work (IE or Mozilla).

I'll take your advice . Both on the oil and the coco butter . I usually switch to Oil of Olay this time of year any way . :)

Interesting article… It looks like to me I have to plug-in an oil heater and get the oil up to 180 degrees before starting the car. This could be a great opportunity for someone to invent a Porsche oil heater! Turn the key… Analyze and heat the oil… Start the car. Oh Jake... Got another project for you.

Gee Flavor 987S who peed in your Wheaties ??? Just because you have not seen any 10W40 approved on a Porsche list doesn't mean 10W40 is not the right weight oil to use. Look what the shop owners say.

My 2000S Porsche owners manual states to use 10W40 synthetic as the first choice. And the car has a Mobil 1 recommended sticker under the trunk lid. If Porsche recommendations are so important to you, please ponder this thought. Porsche's recommended oil change interval is 15,000 miles. Do you agree with that ? I'd bet you don't. As we can see in the posts about oil and change intervals, just about everyone doesn't agree with Porsche on that. So why is the Porsche approved list so important to you ?

Here is another example. My 2000S came with Porsche recomended tires. They were awful. I replaced them with low cost non Porsche approved tires that out perform them and give me vastly improved handling.

I drive my Porsches, Fords, trucks and motorcycles well above average amount of miles per year. In the 40 years I've been driving, I have logged well over 2 million miles on vehicals I own and self maintain. I think my oil practices have proven to be correct because of the long life and good running condition of my motors and drive lines. I'm very satisfied with my choices and feel comfortable recommending them to others. They a based on experience and a considerable amount of reseaching my choices before I buy.

10W40 synthetic is a good choice for the 986 cars. 3 to 5 thousand mile changes depending on use is good.

Bill

I agree. 3000-5000 miles is about the longest I recommend going with the oil changes. Porsche's recommendations are just too long.

-Wayne

My last change, I switched from Mobil 1 to Castrol Edge 5w40 to see if it would reduce the "chatter" at startup. What's this "Redline" stuff? I'd like to get rid of the cold start chatter (ticking sound) at startup.

(wayne: welcome to the board!!)

http://www.redlineoil.com/

Just because someone disagrees with your irresponsible (at best) recomendation, that means I want to piss in your breakfast? Grow up and contribute some sound advice. And if your going to make strong recommendations ("The first choice should be 10W40 year round use") that fly in the face of Porsche, let other, not so knowledgeable Porsche enthusiasts who visit this board know the advice you are offering is counter to Porsche.


Lastly, your owner's manual oil list is out of date, and Porsche has released several updates since 2000.

So what is the updated recommended oil by Porsche as of SEP, 2011?

Whoa! I'm not so sure Porsche recommends changing the oil at 15K miles, at least not for everybody!!! AFAIK, they have changed their recommendations several times. If the OP wants to be official, he needs to get a hold of the official maintenance book. Go to the dealer and order one! That will answer the question for once and for all, and will also be a good reminder of the other maintenance requirements.

I'm pretty sure the own official maintenance book for my 08 Cayman says to change at 12K miles, not 15K. It doesn't matter, however, because there's no way I'm letting the oil be used for that long. As a practical matter, I totally concur with your suggestion to change the oil at 5K and before storing for the winter (in my case, that's the same time).

The site owner at Renntech, Loren, maintains a very accurate list for Contributing Members. We are not allowed to post it on other sites. The list is several pages long (12?) and contains hundreds of approved oils br brand and country locations.

The only Porsche approved oil viscosities, for modern day Porsches (for example 996/986 and newer) are 0W40, 5W40, and 5W50.

My 07 has a 20K mile oil change interval according to the service schedule. I ignored that recommendation and I think that for 08+ (your model) they backed off to 12K miles(as you noted). Looks like there was a big "Go Green" push in '07!

Just a quick story: I also have a MB E320 and when we bought it, MB was giving away free oil changes based on the oil life monitor. My car would go in at approx 15,000 miles. When MB stopped the free oil changes, they changed the oil change intervals to 10-12,000 miles (depending on AMG or regular engines). The only good news is that my UOAs very about the same as a friend who was changing his oil at 7500 miles (same yr/model E320).

Regards,
paul...

I don't understand the hostility from Flavor 987S. My recommendations are good. They may be different from his beliefs. I don't blindly follow Porsche. They apparently don't always get it right as we all conceed there are flaws with our cars. I have enjoyed both of mine and will contiue to buy the brand. And I will maintain it my way and get longer than normal life from it at lower than normal cost. Happy Boxstering.