How often should I change the oil?
 

The service department is telling me to change it every 3,000 miles, I am pretty sure that the owner's manual recommends every 5,000 miles, and I thought I read another post that said 7,000 miles. Unless you drive under really stressful conditions, I don't think 3,000 is necessary, but this is my first rotary engine. Also, since oil has to be added about every other fuel fill-up, it would seem like there would be a constant influx of clean oil replacing dirtier oil. This may not be the case, but it sounds plausible. I realize that the oil filter would be the weak link in all of this because it will eventually lose the ability to clean the oil whatsoever.

Your owners manual has 2 schedules at 5k or 7.5K intervals, choose the one that relates to your driving style and conditions. Also, you have to monitor the oil level periodically between oil changes, check your oil after every 3-4 fill-ups.

I recommend changing every 3000 miles(i use synthetic just for the heck of it).That's what I do.Also, alot of stop & go driving equates to stressful conditions. If you mostly drive it on the freeway then maybe do it every 5000 miles.It's worth it to change it every 3000 miles to protect the engine.It's better to on the safer side.

Look at it this way. You will consume about a quart of oil every 3,000 miles under normal driving conditions. If you change the oil every 3,000 miles, you will save a quart of oil that you would otherwise have added to engine. I think. :confused:

Another thing to keep in mind with this car is that the oil lines and oil coolers do not drain when you drain the oil from the pan. So, 2-3 qts of oil remain in the system to mix with the 4-5 qts of new oil you add to refill the system. To me, that is reason enough to change the oil more frequently than you might if all the old oil was replaced during the change.

Thanks for the info. Technically though, if I did choose to change it every 5,000 miles and something happened to the engine that was linked to the oil, I would be covered because the owners manual clearly states 5,000 miles wouldn't I?

you'll be covered... my dealer also said every 5000mile but monitor oil. if they found that your car messed up because you didn't check the oil.. then you might not be covered... just remember to check your oil every 3-4 fillup

Since you recommend checking oil every 3-4 fillups, about how much are u adding on average during those periods?? A quart for every 3rd or 4th gas fill-up?? Is the oil stick at or below half way mark by this point??

You may go through a quart at 3,000 if you drive hard it could be more...

Oil usage depends on your driving style. More high revs = more oil useage. :D I changed mine at 1000 mi and 6000 mi. I plan to change it every 5000 mi but it won't hurt anything to go with every 3000 mi.