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My $0.02 opinion (archive)
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Posted by Stephen on June 10, 2001 at 17:46:53:

In Reply to: Oil Change Frequency, 6,000 miles driven per year. posted by EricS on June 10, 2001 at 15:34:50:

Dane Kane is right, short trips are deadly to an engine. Also, it may cause premature failure of the exhaust system. On the other hand, you shouldn't adjust your own life style to suit the car.

Here is what I am doing:

When driving around town on short trips, use as much lower gears as you can bear (after engine warmed up). Change oil every 3 to 4 months. It’s perfectly OK to use multi-grade oil (to lower the cost of oil changes) instead of synthetic as the owner's manual indicates. At least once a month take it to the highway, and keep it on 3rd or 4th gear to maintain the rpm around 4000 to 5000 for 5 min. or so.

I have great success on keeping my older (1980) BMW at top shape since brand new. It is still as good as new, if not better! It’s only got 95,000miles. I am doing the same thing with my Z3, but it’s the 2.5l (not M). Good luck and I invite any criticism.


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