Dealer’s oil change plan extends mileage…

[slocrow]

I usually changed the Mobil 1 between 6 and 8 thousand, depending and impressed that upon my Daughter. So when she bought this new BMW Mini turbo the changes were included. No problem, less work for dad. Recently she stopped back to the dealer for a campaign issue and a fluid check and inquiried about when the "free" oil change was due. They told her that "they" did it now every 12,000, any prior change would be at her cost.
My question is; I understand that now with the cost being the dealers, that they might not want to do it every 6,000 miles but is 12,000 excessive in your collective opinion, especially being a turbo. And what about the filter, you know it's just pedestrian. Yes, I could still do it every 6,000 just for insurance sake or as a precaution but I'm just wondering what you all think?  
Frank

[Arnold]

There are mnfr's going 15-20..and in one case 25 I heard. Some guys with
synthetic go 20. Propane powered taxis with 350's in them used to go'20 using Quaker HDX 15/40 diesel. After 20 the oil started to thicken. Still looked new. I dunno..for me..it comes out so does the filter after about 5-6.

[phat46]

I think I'd still do it a 6K and let the dealer do every other one free, that's halves the cost/effort for you anyway! I wouldn't feel comfortable only changing every 12k myself. My wifes car used to get and e mail telling her what "percentage" of oil life was left, i still changed it between 3-4K even wheb it said there was still 40% life left.

[wayne petty]

mobil 1 oil..

20 to 25K on oil changes...

3 or 4K on filters changes with a top up to bring the level back to full..

i have family members who did this for Hundreds of thousand miles on their cars with no wear issues..

one 71 valiant 318 did need a timing set.. at 140K but it had the plastic gear.. and a valve job at 240K .. but it lasted till it got smashed by a truck at 244K when the mechanic ran a stop sign in it.. Not me..

my sisters(rip) 85 Transam that always ran way too hot ran mobil 1.. and half a bottle of slick 50...  when i took is apart to change the head gaskets.. the engine was kinda orange inside.. but there was NO build up..  nothing worn..

a friend ran mobil 1 and half a bottle of slick 50 in his 556 KB hemi.. tunnel ram.. TF heads.. he abused it several years at the track before a rod turned loose when the rev limiter got adjusted with the hammer..  i was in keith blacks office when he ask how many passes on the motor.. the answer was about 50 .. and a bunch more burn outs than that.. KB wanted to know what kind of oil he used as there was NO bearing wear at all..

[enjenjo]

When I worked on big trucks, we used synthetic motor oil, different brands at different locations. When the truck came in new, they had synthetic oil in them, and we just changed the filters at 25,000 miles. They did have a mechanism that injected motor oil into the fuel tank, about a quart every 500 miles. Unless there was a problem, coolant in the oil, fuel dilution, ect, they never changed the oil, in some cases for over a million miles. We did an oil analysis ever 50,000 miles. Detroit, Cummins, Mack, Volvo, and Mercedes, all covered the warrentee, no problem

[Fat Cat]

I would think it depends on which Mobil 1 product they are using. Mobil does make an extended performance version of their product that is guaranteed for 15,000 miles. The product page can be found here.  I have been using this product for a few years. The only problem I have had with it is that the number of weights that it is available in are limited.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

I've been using Mobil 1 in my '07 Trailblazer since change one. The short changes have been 5-7,000 - the longest  about 20,000 - and on that one the "worn out" factor in the cars information center was "29". 83,000 miles and counting. I changed it last winter some time and probably won't do it again until next spring - it's at about "50" now.

It is interesting that when they pay for the oil the interval sure moves out there...

Charlie

[slocrow]

Thanks folks for your valued opinions and what appears to be an education for me and maybe others. I've been trying to use Wix (NAPA gold) filters when appropriate and now might be thinking of using only high end filters exclusively. Maybe I could extend the complete change to around 16 to 20 with a filter only change and top off around mid-point.
I was worried about that little 4 banger plus turbo set up needing fresh blood more frequently but I must be using my 40 year ago brain.
After a check with Mini America they confirmed a 12 to 15 oil service life span and noted that the change oil light isn't scheduled to come on until after 15 grand. They did suggest a yearly change for low milers but regardless, to use the no charge service plan, it would need to be a year and a day. That's means no more then two dealer free changes in the 36,000 warranty/service plan life. Live and learn I guess.
Thanks, Frank

[parklane]

I use Mobil 0W40 in my 06 Dodge with a turbo cummins for power and change everything every 10K miles. It has 105,K miles with no probs.