Gonna split the difference on oil change

[BasilFawlty]

The manual says 7500 miles with normal driving and 3750 in "severe" conditions (and there is a long list of what constitutes "severe.") I would not call my driving conditions super severe, but I do live in an area with a lot of dirt and gravel roads, an so even if I don't drive on them a lot myself, there can often be a lot of dust in the air on windy days, which happens a lot. Plus, I do a lot of slower driving in town and the going back and forth from our little town to Albuquerque involves a pretty good hill going through Tijeras canyon. So, I have decided to split the difference and change my oil/ filter at 5000 mile intervals. (I'm about 354 miles from that point now).

Going to take a stab at changing it myself. I've seen videos and it doesn't look like rocket science.

 

[qwikhit]

Blackstone Labs does oil analysis; you can send them a sample and they will tell you the condition of the oil and if you can run it longer or not.

 

[Senator20]

It is very simple. Just have to remove the cover, and the drain plug and oil filter cap is right there.

 

[Senator20]

I used Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30, it is Acea A5 rated oil. Used a K&N oil filter. Next time I may try a Wix oil filter.