Perhaps we all don't know this

Discussion in 'MINI' started by whaap, Jun 4, 2014.

  1. beken

    beken Well-Known Member

    Jan 13, 2010
    1,405
    1,829
    113
    Retired from business IT stuff
    Delta, BC
    Ratings:
    +2,140 / 1 / -0
    Since your car is still breaking in , 5000 miles to the first oil change is appropriate.

    Being the old fart that I am, my old dinosaur oil and carburated cars got an oil change at 5000 miles or every six months, whichever came first. If a car can't last 100,000 miles (not kilometers) with that schedule, then it wasn't a very good car (ahem....Chevy Vega). But even the Chevy Vega lasted over 100K miles if you added steel sleeves in the cylinders...I digress.

    New cars being fuel injected and heavily emissions controlled, as well as using synthetic oil, which does not coke as easily as regular oil should last double the regular intervals. I would say it's not a bad thing to go more than 5000 miles on a MINI but would change my oil at least once a year regardless of mileage and probably less than 10,000 miles. Just an opinion.

    My MINI got it's first oil change on my own money at 3000 kms (about 2000 miles) and then annually unless I've been driving it a lot. Then more frequently. Certainly if I go over 10,000 kms between changes, I would go in and get an oil change. So I guess my oil changes are at about 8000 miles.

    Oil changes are more expensive in Canada. There are environmental levies, oil disposal levies, recycle levies (oil comes in plastic bottles) and taxes tacked on top of the price of an oil change. They can advertise a special on oil changes at $40 or so, but you end up at about $70 out of pocket. Over $100 if you get it done at a dealership.

    So I don't try to overservice my cars unless I absolutely need to.
     
  2. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    Pop over to merica and get you oil changed......:D

    Take your wife out to dinner in Seattle... 2 hr drive:Thumbsup:
     
  3. whaap

    whaap New Member

    Jan 10, 2014
    515
    313
    0
    retired
    Tucson, Arizona
    Ratings:
    +313 / 0 / -0
    A follow up thought for those of us that have battery key fobs for our push button start. The owners manual suggests switching fobs occasionally to prevent the battery in the unused fob from going flat. Seems to me that switch fobs at the same time I'm getting an oil change would be a good way to remember.
     
  4. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,959
    1,505
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,731 / 0 / -0
    I have never used my second key fob, it has hung on the key rack since I got the car four years ago. The last time I was at the dealer I brought it in and handed it to the service advisor, he was surprised to see only six miles on a four year old car! He said I should use it regularly, I probably won't though.

    Dave
     
  5. DryMartini

    DryMartini New Member

    Dec 6, 2012
    1,048
    479
    0
    Ratings:
    +479 / 0 / -0
    I was a little confused on my first trip to the dealer when they didn't want to see my car yet, just my Fob. Now I know, The Rest of the Story.
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    They just wanted to Fob you. :lol::lol::lol:
     
  7. mini on

    mini on New Member

    Jun 11, 2009
    20
    4
    0
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0

Share This Page