Dear Tom and Ray:

I have ordered a new Jeep and was wondering if you could clear up something for me. At what mileage should you do your first oil change? I have heard conflicting advice on this. One person told me to wait until 3,000 miles, because I would harm the engine if I changed it any sooner. Other people told me it's a good idea to change the oil much earlier to get rid of all the small metal shavings inside the engine before they can do any damage. What do you think? Stephen

Tom: We're with the "other people," Stephen. It IS a good idea to do the first oil change at 500 or 1,000 miles. Sometimes, there are small metal shavings left over from the manufacturing process, and it's a good idea to change the oil and get rid of them. After that, our recommendation is that you change the oil at 5,000 mile intervals.

Ray: And I wouldn't worry about hurting the engine by changing the oil too frequently. While you should never wait longer than your owner's manual recommends between changes, it can never hurt the engine to change the oil MORE frequently.

Tom: Unless you're absent minded like my brother and forget to tighten the drain plug.

It's NEVER cheaper in the long run to buy a new car. Want proof? Order Tom and Ray's pamphlet How to Buy a Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the July 1994 index