SRT-8 Oil Change Schedule

[Dante]

Does anyone have a definitive oil change schedule for the SRT-8? The guys at the dealership have quoted me 5,000, 6,000 and 8,000 kilometers. With the cost of synthetic oil, the longer the better, within reason, but is there one reliable number?

Dante!

[Mopar Time?]

My 2000 5 series came with synthetic oil from the factory and is only suppose to have Syn oil. After the first dump of oil at 500 miles, I have changed the syn oil every 5000 miles. My car has 85K on it and it runs like the day I took delivery. I change the oil myself with the assistance of an oil pumping system that sucks the oil through a tube that you insert in the oil dip stick 'tube' to the block. The oil filter is under the hood in an easy access container. I can control the quality of the filter and oil and do the job for a fraction of the dealer or local lube shops.

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by Dante

Does anyone have a definitive oil change schedule for the SRT-8? The guys at the dealership have quoted me 5,000, 6,000 and 8,000 kilometers. With the cost of synthetic oil, the longer the better, within reason, but is there one reliable number?

Dante!

Because you're talking Km's, I'm assuming you're Canadian. It's 5000 Km's OR 3 months. You will find that in the manual under Schedual B. You should look into the extended warranty where over the five years it covers up to 20 oil changes. The oil changes I go with are every 3 months cuz there's no way I put on 5000 Km's. I'm due for my 2nd in about a month and I think I'll only have 3800-4000 by then. You should be aware it's nearly a $150 oil change through the dealer. The oil itself almost covers the cost of the warranty.

Rambit

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by Mopar Time?

My 2000 5 series came with synthetic oil from the factory and is only suppose to have Syn oil. After the first dump of oil at 500 miles, I have changed the syn oil every 5000 miles. My car has 85K on it and it runs like the day I took delivery. I change the oil myself with the assistance of an oil pumping system that sucks the oil through a tube that you insert in the oil dip stick 'tube' to the block. The oil filter is under the hood in an easy access container. I can control the quality of the filter and oil and do the job for a fraction of the dealer or local lube shops.

I've heard sucking the oil out that way leaves all the bad stuff in the bottom of the oil pan.

Rambit

[WhiteDiamond]

Changing a good quality synthetic oil every 3 months is a waste of oil and money. Mercedes Benz came up with the 229.5 spec for several reasons and one of them is extended drain intervals. Just because you don't make the milage in 3 months, doesn't mean the oil is bad in 3 months. Your money, though.

Todd

[Rambit]

All I'm saying is that's what the book calls for, every 3000 miles (5000 Km's) or 3 months, whichever occurs first. I would hate to be denied a warranty claim just for not following the single most important thing you can do for your car throughout its life.

Rambit

[300CUL8R]

Originally Posted by Rambit

All I'm saying is that's what the book calls for, every 3000 miles (5000 Km's) or 3 months, whichever occurs first. I would hate to be denied a warranty claim just for not following the single most important thing you can do for your car throughout its life.

Rambit

Ditto. I'd suck it up and pay the $80 every 3k. I have 3.2k and am scheduled for my second change on Monday.

[WhiteDiamond]

I guess, if you meet all the exceptions, then go for it every 3K/3 months. Other than the 90 degree weather stuff, I don't get even 25% of those met.

I do have to mention that I think Dodge/Chrysler did us a disfavor by not intergrating the MB oil change intervals that got set due to forcing the much higher quality oils. Some MBs can easily go 15K miles before getting the change light and even then, oil analysis I have seen shows the oil still has life.

Todd

[JMatt]

Porsche 911 has used Mobil1 for at least a decade, with recommended oil changes every 15,000 miles. No problems!

[WhiteDiamond]

Originally Posted by JMatt

Porsche 911 has used Mobil1 for at least a decade, with recommended oil changes every 15,000 miles. No problems!

I am planning to pull oil samples on mine at vaious milages. I am sure the oil that meets this spec will show very little degradation at 3K miles and even 6K miles. I will post the results when they are complete. I have to drain the Amsoil Euro spec oil and go back to Mobil 1 0W-40 since most of the participants on this board are very uneducated on modern oil formulation. Test won't matter unless it is factory recommended and not just 'some' oil that meets/exceeds the same specification.

Todd