Again, just not backed up by evidence.

The only activity that can really can cast one into the "severe" driving category is extended operations and extremely high temps. Stop and go traffic places no more demand on oil than highway loafing.

The Consumer Reports study was tested (over 5 million miles by the way) using New York City cabs...if stop and go is considered severe...then NYC cabs would be off the charts. Even then, the study recommended sticking with the manufactures 7,500 oil change interval. After complete motor teardowns...there was zero measurable difference between early (ie 3k) and appropriate change intervals (ie 7,500).

Oil analysis is not expensive and will show you that you motor is properly protected at 7,500 and way beyond. This isnt preaching...just an opinion backed by more than anecdotal evidence.

the "evidence" is the 2006 Hyundai Sonata Owners Manual....

from past personal experience, pushing my former vehicle too far with oil (my wife drove our ZX2 to about 9,000 miles without changing the oil) and guess what? our cam solenoid went bad as a direct result of having too much metal in the oil, causing the solenoid to go bad (stalling, sputtering) and lo and behold, $1,400 later after the solenoid was replaced, we decided not to push our cars past the recommended intervals.

Hyundai recommends 7,500 mile oil changes UNLESS you drive in the following "severe" conditions: (straight from the manual)

A-Repeatedly driving short distance of less than 5miles (8km) in normal temperature or less than 10 miles (16km) in freezing temperature
B-Extensive engine idling or low speed driving for long distances
C-Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or salt- spread roads
D-Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in very cold weather
E-Driving in sandy areas
F-Driving in heavy traffic area over 90°F (32°C)
G-Driving on uphill, downhill, or mountain road
H-Towing a Trailer, or using a camper, or roof rack
I-Driving as a patrol car, taxi, other commercial use or vehicle towing
J-Driving over 100 MPH (170 Km/h)
K-Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditions

If you drive in any of the conditions listed above, their recommendation is "EVERY 3,000 MILES (4,800 KM) OR 3 MONTHS"


well, to me, that sounds like everything BUT highway driving... thanks for your input, but I will continue playing it safe, and getting my oil changed within 5,000 miles (even though i actually DO mostly highway driving)... to me $13k - $15k is a bit too much money for me to go and play around with the possibility that my car dies on me.. i cant afford a new one.. its called being more safe than sorry.... maybe if/when i change to Synth oil, i might push it to 7,500 or 8,000 miles.. but not until then

This post has been edited by ddix1026: Jun 25 2008, 11:44 AM

Walmart carries the fram filter for the 3.3 v6. It comes with 2 brand new o rings. Paid around $6.

I got my dealer to give me 15 free oil changes when I bought the car. I change it ever 5K even though the manuel says 7,500 and I do almost all highway I feel that pushing 7,500 might be to hard on the oil and engine and filter. Though in all I wont have to pay for one until 80K. :)

This post has been edited by Tony20: Jun 25 2008, 05:59 PM

The Purolator filters are made in India - Knowing their products, I wouldn't want one near my engine.

I go to Goodyear and they have changed over to Synthetic Blend as their standard oil for changes then you can go up to the fully synthetic. I have always used the Synthetic Blend anyway and usuall go between 5-6K and have th etire rotation done at the same time. I like the idea that the Synthetic wont break down so at least I have that part of the oil for protection.

I think specialists are very hard to beat. When you need heart surgery, go to a heart surgeon. For knee surgery, go to an othopedist, etc. Oil change specialists are less likely to make mistakes than the dealer. That's because the dealer probably assigns the least skilled or newest employee to do the oil change duties.

I had 3 botched oil changes at my dealer, and 1 was nearly fatal. I have had 4 oil changes at my local Oil-Xpress, and they did everything perfect. I have no idea what brand filter they use, and don't care. That's because I change filters every 6 months, and the aftermarket filters with the defective anti-drainback valve have been remedied.

This post has been edited by bobad: Jun 29 2008, 01:09 PM

Thats a good point. In the end I just bought the filter from the dealer as it was only $10 and gave me a new crush washer that I wouldn't have had.

Thanks for all the info