I purchased my s2k in April. Due my work, I'm averaging only 350 miles/month. I'm still running the break-in oil. The dealer recommends first oil change at 7k. At my driving rate, it will be 2 years before the 7k oil change. Should I change the oil at 3k?

 

Only if you were making very short runs where the oil never reaches and holds operating temps. A better solution is to DRIVE THAT SUCKER!!

 

I faced the same question. Based on the research I did, I decided that it's not a problem to change oil before the earliest recommended interval in the service manual and changed to Mobil 1 at just under 5000 miles.

 

What recommendation does the owner's manual have for the TIME duration between changes? I would not keep oil in any engine for more than 6 months, regardless of mileage. I think it is a general consensus that you should NOT switch to synthetic oil before reaching at least 7000 miles, and some say 10000 miles.

If you don't drive your car very often, you should probably consider a Pre-Luber. If the car sits for days at a time, all the oil will drain to the pan, and the first time you start it, there will be allot of unnecessary wear on the engine while it starves for oil. A Pre-Luber uses an electric pump to lube the engine before you start it.

 

I'm not convinced about the 7000 mile interval for switching to a synthetic oil, but I doubt any of us have any data to back up a firm position on this issue. I went to Mobil 1 at 5000 miles because I've got the turbo installed and it just seemed the engine break-in issues were pretty much moot after a few hundred turbo miles. But only time will tell, I suppose.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cbender
[B]I'm not convinced about the 7000 mile interval for switching to a synthetic oil, but I doubt any of us have any data to back up a firm position on this issue.

 

If I recall. You should reread your manual because I think it states to get the first oil change at 7500 miles (normal driving) or 1 year, whichever comes first. I got my S 15 months ago and got it its first oil change (regular oil) at about 3800 miles (before last winter). I now have only 5500 miles and will probably be getting the second oil change (regular oil) before this winter.

 

Driving a car for 350 miles/month doesn't seem like "normal" conditions. Not many people (short of travelling salesmen) would drive their cars under "normal" conditions. There is a time interval for service if your mileage does not accummulate fast enough. It's whichever comes first. For you, I would go with the "severe" conditions, which is 3750 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.
There is still some debate about this mysterious "break-in" oil. I, for one, don't believe there is one. The high molybdenum content in oil analysis can be accounted for by the use of assembly lube (which is high in this compound). This "lube" is put on wherever two moving metal parts touch so that upon the initial startup, these surfaces are protected. Once the oil has circulated throughout the engine, it takes over the routine lubrication duties. The moly, once diluted out and circulating in the oil does very little. I think it's pointless to keep the factory fill in the car just on basis of trying to keep some "magical" fluid for as long as possible.
Base your oil changes with the passage of time. Base your switch to synthetic with the passage of miles. (If indeed, you believe synthetic is the way to go and even this point of waiting to convert to synthetic is under some debate at the moment.)

 

Most people in Texas consider the heat here worthy of the shorter maintenance schedule. My Dallas dealer recommends the first change at 3750.

 

Yes, the mileage is abnormally low. I live in Houston but travel every week to east or west coast sites. My car languishes at airport parking Monday through Friday (about 42 weeks per year). I like the idea of a pre-luber if it prevents potential damage.