Ok, Ive had several vehicles, but only 2 new ones. My last was a '97 TJ and for that one I changed the oil for the first time at 500 miles then at 2000. I did this in an attempt to get rid of any metal flakes or shavings in the oil from the motor break-in and valve seating. Never had any engine trouble at all. Fast forward 2007JK, my dealer says this is absolutely not necessary with this 3.8 motor and recommends 5000 miles for the first change. Ive heard some people say the factory oil contains break-in additives, dealer says not true. Ive also heard some people say that I must use Mopar filters with this engine, again dealer says not true, use any brand filter you wish. Anyone have first hand knowledge on what the best method is? Thanks.

 

I did mine 3000 and put in Mobil one oil and filter.i here the mopar filter is very good as is Mobil 1,k&n, pure one and many others.frame is not so good.I'm sure you will get many different opinions on oil,filters and when to change it.i pick staying on the low end for when to change and to use premium oil and filter.

 

everyone has their own methods/opinions...on my '03 Rubi i went to Mobil 1 at 10,000km...i'm not sure if i'm going to use synthetic oil in this one yet or not, still really undecided...whichever way you choose, make sure you leave a papertrail for every oil change for when the motor blows up

 

It really just depends on your own desires, I changed mine at 3500 miles, and went to Mobil one also. Big fan of synthetics in my SRT8, if it's good enough for the track, it's good enough for the trail!

 

Personally I would follow the Users Manual. The manual should specifically outline when the first change should be done.

After the engine has a proper break-in and I'm on to a regular routine I do use my own judgement. Some people still try to say you should change the oil every 3,000 but that's just not necessary with the synthetic oils.

Some may disagree with following the manual but I'm inclined to follow the advice of the folks that actually built the engine. Also if you do have problems and you have the recommended paper trail showing you followed the manual, then you are less likely to have issues with warranty.

Beel :toung:

 

since my dealer gives each new jeep buyer 4 free oil changes per year as long as they own it, I usually take it in to them at the 3500 mi mark.

 

I'll probably change my oil for the first time at 2000 miles, and every 3000 miles thereafter... sure, it may not be necessary, but it sure as hell can't hurt... throwing a little extra caution to the wind is never a bad idea in my opinion, this is my first brand new vehicle and needs to last me for a while.

 

I don't disagree with you here. It certainly isn't going to hurt to change it more frequently. I just don't think it's hurting to let it go longer when you are running a high quality synthetic. Part of it depends on how hard you drive your vehicle.

Beel :toung:

 

Ive been told by a friend who is a mechanic and from my own past experience, do the break in period of about 500 miles, then change to a good non-synthetic until the 5,000 mark. After that a good TRUE 100% FULL synthetic, my personal favorite has been AMZOIL. I actually got 1-2 more MPG and felt better engine performance. It gets to 115 here and it makes a difference, im sold.

 

yeah this is my first new vehicle too...what kind of paper trail are ya'll talking about as far as my oil changes and stuff like that goes?? I tend to do my own work and I don't trust some of the grease monkeys that work at dealerships and the drive-thru oil change places. On the Synthetic Oil, yeah I will use Mobile 1 synthetic. My dad and I have used that for years in nearly everything new that we have... (81 Scrambler, 57's chevys, 73 Chevelle get good ol' Castrol). I also like all the oil filters mentioned and I too have heard horror stories about Fram oil filters. I change mine every 5,000 miles, reguardless of break-in period. AND the dealer will not touch my Jeep unless its warranty! But if anybody can help with that papertrail stuff your talkin about I'd appreciate it!!