MaxGeek

How often do you guys/gals change your oil after autocrossing your car?
I have a little over 1000 miles on my oil and 3 or 4 autocrosses.

I'm using Valvoline SynPower and HAMP filter

Also how do I know my oil is bad? It looks darker then before and maybe one notch on the stick has burned off.

mikegarrison

I just follow the normal "severe"maintenance schedule, every 3750 mikes. And probably most of the benefit is coming from changing the filter, not the oil.

PedalFaster

A lot of people work their engines harder on the street than you do in autocross -- when you think about it, in a typical four run autocross you'll only be floored for maybe a minute.

I change my oil every 3000 miles.

Steve

MaxGeek

Thank for the reply. I've also heard other say that regardless of mileage you should be changing your oil after a certain time period(3-4months?). Any truth to that?

lig

I tend to go ~3500 miles per change.

Mobil 1 and the PCX OEM filter.

hi50

I change my oil every 3000 miles or 3 months, whicever comes first (99% the miles do).

If you are low 1 "x", just top it off. I have 42K miles on my car, and it still burns about a 1/4 to 1/2 quart between oil changes. But I usually have quite a few AX's in between oil changes. And I only do about 20% highway driving since I live close to work.

subzero

every 3xxx miles or 3-4 months? I have my car almost a year and it is still slightly less than 5000 miles. Should I do my first old change then?

mikegarrison

I would, Eric.

Among other things, the oil filter is only held on by the compression of the rubber seal. As the seal ages, it may stiffen up. That can lead to the filter becoming loose.

subzero

Thanks Mike. That's a good point. I will do it as soon as I come back from my work trip.

Tedster

In a couple of use oil analysis checks I had done, there was minimal degradation of Mobil1 10W-30 at 3500 and 5500 miles, with at least one track day in each period. I'm no longer worried about changing my oil as frequently as I used to. 5-6000 miles seems reasonable.

Ted