There are a lot of variables to oil change intervals. Things like the outside temperature, how often the car was driven, whether it was garaged or not, the length of each trip, the aggressiveness of the driver, if the car was driven in dusty conditions, the speed at which the car was driven, the condition of the spark plugs, the condition of the fuel and fuel injectors; all contribute to determining the optimum oil change interval.

The owners manual for my 1998 900SET recommends oil and filter changes every 10,000 miles for 'normal' driving (mainly highway use); and oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles for 'severe service' driving (which is what 99% of the driver's fall under as severe is defined as hot weather driving, cold weather driving, city driving, short trips, dusty conditions, high speed driving, and just about anything except leisurely highway cruising).

The 1998 900 owners manual recommends that the motor oil be 10W-30 or 5W-30 (but if 5W-30 it must be at least a synthetic blend). Later model (9^3) years recommend 0W-30 synthetic or semi-synthetic for ‘normal use’ and 0W-40 synthetic motor oil for ‘severe’ use.

Based on my personal past history and the wisdom of this BB, the following oil and filter change intervals apply.

When using conventional oil, the oil and filter change interval should be every 5,000 miles in ‘normal’ or highway use, and every 3,000 miles in ‘severe’ use.

When using synthetic oil, the oil and filter change interval should be every 10,000 miles in ‘normal’ use, and 5,000 miles in ‘severe’ use.

Not knowing how you particular car was driven and what oil was used in servicing, it is hard to tell if using a 10,000 oil and filter change interval caused any damage. It is likely that there are no major concerns.

Go ahead and start using the appropriate oil change interval based on your driving habits and don’t worry about it.

Rob Mustard (aka REM in Seattle)
1984 Saab 900T, 3-door, 5-sp, 242,000 miles (RIP)
1991 Alfa Romeo Spider convertible, 5-sp, 88,000 miles
1998 Saab 900SET 5-door, automatic, 53,000 miles

posted by 208.49.241...

• change interval when using Mobil One, Michael V., Thu, 16 Jan 2003 18:13:02
  • Oil and filter change intervals...., REM in Seattle, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 09:34:44 <-- Viewing This Message
    • So Rob, what do you do?, Greg Netzner, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:50:11
      • My oil and filter change intervals..., REM in Seattle, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:56:22
        • Re: Any other questions, Greg Netzner, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 13:54:59
          • Re: Any other questions, REM in Seattle, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 15:33:41
  • The only way to determine (+), Vlad, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 09:25:18
    • Re: Not sure I agree about filters, Ed NC, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:06:14
    • Filters, Greg Netzner, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:28:18
  • what about filters?, JimBlake , Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:09:18
    • Re: what about filters?, Dick in Falls Church, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 09:52:54
  • Re: change interval when using Mobil One, Dean, Thu, 16 Jan 2003 22:06:24
    • What?, Greg Netzner, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:08:27
    • au contraire ... prophet of Delvac 1! :-) n/m, J, Thu, 16 Jan 2003 23:17:35
  • Yeesh - OK, here we go..., Greg Netzner, Thu, 16 Jan 2003 19:49:21
    • Re: Yeesh - OK, here we go..., Allan J, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 23:32:02
  • I was also going to try 10k change and filter at 5k, KB88900T, Thu, 16 Jan 2003 19:14:17
    • KB, any idea what was used for the previous 82k?, Greg Netzner, Fri, 17 Jan 2003 11:14:19
      • I've driven 1000k and the oil level is the same as when, KB88900T, Sun, 19 Jan 2003 02:27:28
        • Thanks (n/m), Greg Netzner, Sun, 19 Jan 2003 21:41:31
  • Re: change interval when using Mobil One, Larry, Thu, 16 Jan 2003 18:29:09

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