Everyone likes his car to run. The question is, does it make a difference if you change oil frequently? My 3 has run about 10 000 kms since the last oil change and it accelerates as good as new. Do you feel the car getting lazy or something with more run? If the engine doesn't get wrecked for 20k kms in the EU, it is doubtful that it will in the US with the same run. I guess you guys have even better roads there

 

it also matters on how hard you drive the car and the climate. If you are trying to be Tony Stewart, you better change it at 3000. If your a driving Ms.Daisy, you wont kill your engine if you change it around 5000 or 6,000. Oil gets more susceptable to heat over time. Which means a little more engine wear. If you want 200,000 miles or more from your engine, I suggest changing no later then 6,000. When I first started to drive when I was a gullable 16 year old, I changed oil every 3,000 miles. I didn't notice a big difference, but I could feel that it was a little smoother. If you do alot of city driving it should detemine when you change as well!



One other thing: if you change the oil yourself, look at the color of the fluid. Is it pitch black? Can you see shiny particles inside. When I am racing, I have to change my oil after each run. Mind you I am running Methanol (Alcohol). I know when a engine is under alot of stress!

 

maybe its as simple as a broken gas line