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Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,464
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

[ Edited ]

@geegerbee - Read your new car manual for the maintenance required.

 

In the "old" days, an oil change was recommended at 1000 miles, but times have changed and so have manufacturing processes and maintenance guidelines.

 

I've only ever bought new cars and I've never changed the oil at 1000 miles.  My last Forester that I traded in had over 100,000 miles on it and was still going strong (but I wanted some newer features, so I bought another new car).

 

Regular oil changes are a must, but one at 1000 miles?  You don't say what make or model of car you bought, but your maintenance manual should be your guideline.  If your manual doesn't REQUIRE the first oil change at 1000 miles, it will not void your warranty.  That's nonsense, IMO.

 

(Ironically, I just had an oil change on my car today!)

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,041
Registered: ‎05-09-2014

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

Yes, you change the oil at about 1000 miles for a coupke of reasons. For one thing, you want to get rid of oil that might have accumulated some small particles in thode few new miles, and the oil filter also gets changed to remove any accumulations.  Even if the oil that is removed and the filter would look very clean and still golden clear, the presence of small particles of wear from the cylinders and other moving parts can be present.

 

Another prudent reason to change the oil is that the car could have been manufactured months before you took ownership. If it had oil in it from the factory, that oil might have been sitting in the crankcase for quite a while, in temperatures or extremes you might not have known. Theoretically, the cars are shipped from the factory to the dealer with almost no fluids at all.  That "dealer prep" fee you paid with your purchase agreement covers all the oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid and gasoline provided just before you took delivery. But the dealer might just pour fresh oil into whatever is already in the car from the factory. It could be a different weight oil, the factory oil might be not at all fresh, etc. The fact of many  plausible contingencies that are not ideal is the reason to change the oil after a thousand miles post-delivery.

 

Oil is the lifeblood of your car, new or old. It's relatively cheap to change the oil to be sure of proper care, even if it's not warranty related. Electric cars don't need lubricants. They run on motors, not engines.  But gasoline engines do require lubricants as part of maintenance. Fresh lubricants are a good way to give your new car's life expectancy a good boost. 

Just do it. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,464
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?


@drizzellla wrote:

I got a new car in August, 2024. And needed the car inspected in May, 2025.

 

I took the car in for inspection.The car had 300 miles on the odometer. I did not bother to get the oil changed. My husband said I should have gotten the oil changed. He told me that, after I waited 4 hours at the dealer for the inspection (with appointment). Wonder how long I would have had to wait if I did want the oil changed.

Guess I should have had the oil changed. 


@drizzellla - In your case, I agree with your husband.  A car that sits and isn't driven very often can build up condensation and that can damage an engine.

 

At least change the oil once a year, regardless of mileage.  That's my opinion, FWIW.

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope
Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,186
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

[ Edited ]

My owners manual shows to change every 7500-10,000 miles. We change it more often.

We had to change a transmission in a vehicle due to metal shavings from break in period on new vehicle?

AI shows most 2025 vehicles is the same. I would have it done now like @SilleeMee posted.

For most 2025 vehicles, the oil change interval is typically 7,500 to 10,000 miles or once a year when using full synthetic oil, but you should always check your owner's manual for the precise schedule for your specific car model. Driving conditions such as heavy towing, off-roading, or racing may require more frequent changes.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,432
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

[ Edited ]

One of the worst things you can do on a forum like this is ask for information on financial or life decisions.  Never ask about whether you should or should not get a second mortgage, get a credit card, defy the owner's manual, whether or not you should get a divorce or if they think a kidney transplant is the right thing for your daughter who has a cadaver kidney awaiting her at the hospital now.  Some things are best left to professionals like doctors, bankers, automobile manufacturers.  

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,180
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

[ Edited ]

@Nonametoday That is one of the best posts I have ever read! It should be required reading for some people on this forum! I have cringed at some of the  posts by amateur  and wannabe experts and can only hope that no one has been harmed by falling prey to some of the well-intentioned but greatly misinformed opinions and recommendations that have been posted on these boards -- especially the medical ones where posters are so unknowingly out of their element that it is scary.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,655
Registered: ‎01-27-2014

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

@Nonametoday I honestly think everyone knows this...it's still interesting to solicit people's thoughts about something on a forum like this one. 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,176
Registered: ‎05-02-2017

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

 

 

Husband told me our car dealer service area charges $100.00 to change the oll now (for our van).

 

In his younger days, he was able to do it himself. But, I was always nervous about him under the cars.

 

I would gladly pay $39.95, and I would always follow all the warranty requirements.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,708
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

I've had the dealership tell me several times that I only need to get an oil change once a year with the amount I drive. Not sure if it's 1000 miles if that.

When I go I get regular maintenance too. I'm going with what they said. I got a used 2017 Honda Accord with 30,000 miles about 4-5 years ago? I guess it's about 36,000 mi now.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,464
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Oil change after only 1000 mi?

I don't think asking other posters' opinions about an oil change is exactly a life or death situation like a kidney transplant or a major financial decision like getting a second mortgage.

 

This is a discussion board, after all.  (And there are myriad such boards out there, with people asking other users the same kinds of questions.  I've certainly gained some useful information from them over the years.)

 

 

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope