I saw in the Volvo manual that the recommended oil change interval is 5000 miles. I've heard 3000 miles from other folks. Which one should I use?

The only reason I ask this is because I'll be nearing 3000 miles since the last change this week and I'm not sure when/if my mechanic could accommodate me for an oil change and I want to know if I should be concerned if the oil change takes place around 3100 miles after the last change.

 

No. 100 miles isn't going to make or break your car, especially when 5000 is the recommended time between them. Do whichever one you like, change it at every 2000 if you wish to do so. I would say though, if you have a higher mileage car maybe try and do every 3000.

 

My personal rule of thumb is 3000 if using regular dino oil, and 5000 if using synthetic. Of course the condition of the oil when I check it is also a big factor

 

The more frequent you change it - the better. Even if you wait till 3500 you won't have problems.
Most people (who don't love their cars, and see them only as means of transportation) change it every 5000 miles. 3000 miles is of course better for the engine.

But just so you know - most people in Central and Eastern Europe change their oil every 7000-8000 MILES...and the cars still run good. I'm not saying that's a good example to follow, just wanted to show that there are plenty of people who don't change at 3000 and they are still fine.

Personal opinion - change it every 3000-3500 miles.

 

I change mine every 5000 miles and I love my car. Volvo set the service light to come on every 5000 miles for a reason because that's what they think a reasonable duration between changes is. You could change your oil every 5k all you want, honestly, it's really not going to make that big of a difference. Now, like I said before, you your car has a lot of miles, it wouldn't hurt to change every 3k, but if you can't and change it at 3.5k, or 4k, or even 5k, nothing's going to happen.

 

+1 If it isn't turbo car you could wait even longer especially with synthetic oil. It depends in what conditions you drive. My 850 non turbo has 200K and I never changed oil before 5K.

 

Like stated above depends on your driving habits. Most folks with no turbos are usually ok at 5k. If you are running a turbo and are driving on the highway you can do upto 5k. Personally on my turbo 850 I do every 3,500 faithfully with Synthetic. I don't drive often but with the heat here in Fla., it can only help. I think most of us on here that change the oil every 3,500 to 4k are do it as added insurance for our motors. I'd rather change it earlier than later and have engine failure.

 

Could not say this better myself. This is the rule of thumb I use.

 

Sounds like I'm good. I'd heard both so I'm glad there is really no right or wrong answer here, just personal preference. I got an appointment for Friday so I can keep on my ~3000 mile intervals.

The car isn't high mileage for its age (75,600) and as I've said in other posts here it doesn't go on long trips often.

 

Im running amsoil and im going 10k but im also going to send the oil off to get tested every 3500 miles.

 

Believe it or not, a lot of new cars have a 10K / 1 year intervals. I know Mercedes and BMW do.

 

Volvo S40 oil change interval
2001 Volvo S40 handbook says:

OIL AND FILTER CHANGE
Normal - every 20k km or once per year
B4184SM/SJ and Diesel Engines 15k km

Extreme Driving - 10k km or every 6 months. 10k km is about 6214 Miles, 20k km is about twice 6214 in Miles.
(book does not say but presumable for Diesel you would reduce the 10k to about 7,500km of extreme driving).

For Extreme driving they specify ACEA A3 or Petrol or B3 for Diesel

"

• A3/B3
  Stable, stay in grade oil intended for use in high performance petrol and diesel engines or extended drain intervals.
• A3/B4
  For use in direct injection diesel engines where special oils may be required, but also suitable for applications described under A3/B3."

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...b-ac162d889bd1
Valvolene All-Climate Motor Oil SAE 10W-40 is said to meet A3/B4 and SN, SM, SL/CF. But that does not mean that SN, SM and SL/CF oils meet ACEA A3/B4.

 

When in doubt, consult the owners manual. 2000-2004 1.9T Volvo S40s call for oil changes every 7500 miles - and it also says "Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance service intervals" but that was written in 2000, before synthetic oil became widely available and shipped with new cars. For cars with VVT gears, synthetic oil is a good choice to minimize the tarnish that can build up but there's no reason to change more frequent than specified. I've been using synthetic with seal softeners (aka high mileage synthetic) in our 2000 S40, changing at 7500 or 1 year whichever comes first.