oil change

[aileron]

Hey,

Can somebody might tell me how often the engine and transmission oil should be replaced on the 3.8L V6.

I have a eurpean model of the 2000 convertible and the dealer told me that it should be replaced every 5000 miles. That sounds very often to me. I this he only wants to make more money.

And if somebody could tell me if there are some critical items on this car with should be monitored.

thanks

[MarxZ/28]

well they say with synthetic oil, you can change it every 5000 miles, but non-synthetic oil you should change it every 3000 miles. you just gotta do it. as with trans fluid, change it when its dirty(dont worry it takes a while), and add to it if it gets low. worry more about the oil, changing it should become kinda routine

[Zwrangler]

How does every 5000 miles sound too often for a service?????? jeese i get my cars engine oil, oil filter and fuel filter changed every 5000kms maximum. Its not really that expensive to change oil anyway and its not like 5000 miles rocks up pretty easily, it;ll probably take you 3 or more months to get 5000 miles, and thats if you drive 41 miles every single day.

[z28 boy]

I change my oil every three months even if i am under the mileage which i always am.

[Joseph1082]

Me too, and 5000 MILES... I never let it go passed 3000! I never really heard of anyone letting it go that long.

[Chevyracincamaro]

i change mine at 2K, which reminds me i need to change my oil this weekend...thanks guys

[89IROC&RS]

the 3000 mile mark is a random distance made up out of thin air. drive till your oil needs to be changed. we have oil life monitors on modern cars at work, people bring them in at 3000 miles, and there will be anywhere from 25-75% oil life remaining. depending on driving and other variables. i check my oil on my dipstick, when it looks like i need to change it, i do. otherwise i leave it alone.

[1992RS]

clear oil is good, black thick oil is bad

[blueturtle]

well what about black thin oil that drips off the dip stick

[Chevyracincamaro]

for us low tech junkies, we have to rely on a number value. an oil can keep its viscosity for over 5000 miles, but i like low number cause it helps me to make the oil change a habitual action, plus in the back of my mind i feel that i am doing good for my car...

[89IROC&RS]

well, its always good to do right for your car, but flip it around and look at the environmental imapact of waised motor oil on all these cars changing their oil, with 60% life left in it??????

[Genopsyde]

I just drive mine till the oil burns up, then I take the pan of oil that my neighbor just drained out of his car and pour it into my engine and i'm back on the road.

[aileron]

Thanks guys for your Info! 5000 miles sounds much to me because on a bmw you can do 20000 or even more. I friend of mine drives a buick park avenue and on this one he told he need to change it every 15000.

stephan

[aileron]

I have another question!

Does sombody know how to reset the oil change annunciation. After every engine start it illuminates for approx. 1 min and it starts to nerve. And the GM dealer here in Vienna takes 400 dollars for an oilchange, so i´ll do it myself.

thanx

[Joseph1082]

Push the trip odometer reset button... hold it for 12 seconds, then release, case solved.