How often do you check the oil in your vehicle?

[Boadicea]

I don't check that often, though I know I should. However, when my clutch started slipping, I pulled over a checked it as a matter of course. It was nearly BONE DRY. The oil light never came on, I just had the oil changed about six weeks/less than 1000 miles ago, and the damn thing was just dry. I went to the nearest gas station and put in 2.5 quarts ... and about a half a quart came straight back out onto the pavement! Grrrrrr!

So, how often do you check the oil in your vehicle? Have you checked it lately? Go check it!

[chersolly]

I've never checked it. : But I do have the oil changed every 3000 miles. (We change it ourselves in the summer, but in the winter we go to a jiffy lube.)

[Boadicea]

Yeah, I have it changed regularly, too. Like I said, it's only been about 1000 miles since the last oil change. And the oil light didn't even come on. So no reason I should have had to check it. But it was still dry, nonetheless.

Put your coat and bunny slippers on and go check your oil, mama!

[darkstar]

I check it every 4th time I fill up the gas tank. But I drive an old VW van...never trust the oil light

darkstar

[Drummer's Wife]

: Never... But DH does occasionally. We are terrible about changing it every 3 months or whatever the recommendation is

[GoldBerry]

This thread made me laugh!!

I think my dp would think I was the perfect partner if I would just check my oil! He said he would give me a stack of one dollar bills to tip the gas guys to check my oil, but he knows I would spend it on coffee! :LOL

(by the way, I'm pretty responsible about other things...but not checking the oil...or balancing my checkbook...or....)

[momto l&a]

I check it every couple of weeks.

Not so good about chainging it though :

My dad is a mechanic I should know better, but now that he doesnt live close by I am afraid to change it myself less I have a stuck oil filter again

[canadianchick]

I check mine once a week. I have had cars in the past that have had problems with leaks so it is just habit with me. Also, I drive an older SAAB with over 300,000 miles on it so I figure it's best to keep a close eye on things like the oil. I watch the rad fluid and power steering fluid also.

[ber]

Every 3 months or every 1000 miles, whichever comes first.

[MoMommy]

I've never checked mine. I didn't know you were supposed to. I do get it changed every 3000 miles though.

[Red]

Every 300 to 500 miles it gets changed. And now that the cars are older, I check it in between. Good thing too, cause one of them sprung an invisible leak.




Uh, if you don't change the oil, or let it dry up, you could have teh vehicle that now sits in my backyard, a reminder to my DH to check the oil....an MG Midget, cool little orange convertible...with no engine. Just sad.

[twindaze]

I never check mine. My car is new though so I don't think it burns oil. Now I've had oil burners and leakers in the past and I had to check them pretty frequently.

[JessicaS]

I check my oil every other time I fill up with gas.

My husband, last time he changed my oil said "I don't think your car ever burns oils at all..it is always full"



duh.

By the time your oil light comes on it is too late..there could be damage by that point. You have to check it.

[milk_maker]

I never check my oil anymore, but I change it religiously every 3000 miles.

When I had my bugs (I had a '67 and a '65) I checked the oil every time I got gas (weekly) and usually put in a quart every time. I changed my gaskets and we even rebuilt the engine in my '65, but both of them STILL leaked a quart a week. I miss my leaky old bugs, they were great cars!

[Red]

Originally Posted by twindaze

I never check mine. My car is new though so I don't think it burns oil.

I hope that means you're changing it every 3000 to 5000 miles? Engines burn oil.

[KarenEMT]

I check mine with every fill-up. My car's a 1989 with over 200,000 miles and on its last legs, so I am very careful to check just about everything.

[mammabear]

I have never checked my oil. I make dh do that- and take out the trash.

[twindaze]

Originally Posted by Red

I hope that means you're changing it every 3000 to 5000 miles? Engines burn oil.

Oh, right, yeah, I aim to change it at 3000. I guess I meant that it doesn't burn excessive oil, I've had cars that did that, needed a quart a month or so.

[Alkenny]

I don't check it unless I have the hood up for something else...but I do get it changed every 3,000 miles (I've only put 2,000 on it since April, though! )

[Moon Faerie]

It depends on how often I drive, but anywhere from once a week to once every 2 weeks. My bil is a mechanic, my brother does paint and body work, and my dh works with heavy machinery, so they have me pretty good at keeping up with my car and maintainance. I do sometimes slide a little on the oil change. I try to get it done every 3000 miles, but I don't always. I'm really close to needing one know, but my dh is gone for a week. No way I'm taking a 10 month old and a 2 year old (both of them are walking) to get the oil changed by myself, and my bil is busy until after Christmas. I usually put less than 100 miles a week on it though.