rohit13

I'm debating on Changing my 2.7's oil at just 4000 miles. (0w-40 mobil one) I do lots of short distance driving 4 miles to work and 4 back after hours of work.

The oil barely reaches out of the 150F when I reach the destination.

I'm wondering what you guys are doing? After how many miles do you change your oil?

Last thing is does time matter? The oil has been in my car for 5 months and has put on 3600 miles.
How important is changing the oil regardless of miles on it in months?

jcman

I change mine every year with the same miles 4 to 5K, my wife drives it to work
at just about the same distance you do and I drive it on the weekends sometimes
more so in the winter.

Time does matter because of moisture when sitting and moisture is a problem in the wet/cold months with short drives too, take it out for a highway run now and then.

GTA_Driver

With such a short commute, try biking. I do, about 5 miles

Just Me

I change at about 10-12 months, and 5-7k miles, since i split usage across two cars.

(Synthetic)

If your oil rarely warms up you will have high levels of water and fuel dilution, which is just plain bad. More frequent changes will help, but corrosion is still an issue.

I have done UOAs and received very good results back.

However my oil gets up to temp and stays there at least twice a week.

G

Just Me

I think you are mixing issues. Moisture and dilution come from not reaching operating temp. It matters not if the oil is 1 day old or 1 year old - if its diluted, wet and acidic its all the same.

Getting it up to 100 degC+ for 20 minutes should remove most of those contaminants - again regardless of age.

My UOAs say that a year is ok, with good oil, modest mileage and a better trip cross section. Dunno about yours.

G

Dr_Evil

Every 10-15k miles on Mobil 1 Ext Range. Anything more frequent is a waste. Point me to an independent lab study suggesting otherwise if you don't agree. Anecdotal evidence and your "feelings" don't qualify.

GTA_Driver

Since I drive less than 10K kms (~6K miles) per year on each of the cars, they both get new synthetic every 6 months.

jseklund

I use either Amsoil or Mobil 1 Synthetic 0-40 or Rotella T6, and typically go about 10,000 miles on an oil change. Maybe 7500 for the T6.

I think 15,000 is pushing it and would be (pleasantly) suprised if an oil analysis was conducted on such an interval and the TBN was still acceptable.

I can tell you a few times I've gone ~12K and I can tell the oil isn't very slick when it comes out of the engine at that point. It's noticably "thin" and watery. Still oily and slick to some degree - but nothing like you would want based on how new oil is ...well, oily.

Audi engines do run hot, and turbos don't help the case - but I think 10,000 is acceptable. I've got 205,000 on my 2004 and my mom has about 160,000 on her 2001. Both are 2.7T A6 engines.

Just Me

My T6 showed significant shear down ( its was still fine, but sheared at the hgih range) after 5700 miles. I posted the UOA. Did you see it?

Your 2.7t is harder on oil and more highly stressed than my 4.2, as well.

You decide.

G

uberwgn

Do you drive the car longer distances on the weekend so moisture, etc. gets a chance to burn off?

You should probably be doing an oil change 1X per year. Certainly not needed at 4k miles on the M1 0W40. These oils are more durable than we give them credit.

I've set the maint. reminders in both our cars to trigger the alert at 6500 miles and I aim to get it done within the next 1000 miles or so while I round up needed supplies. Oil used is always VAG 502.00 quality standard.

I'm a bit leary about the 10k mile interval on the 2.0T given past history.