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Comments
I took my Jetta in last night to have the ordered parts for the dash rattle installed. They gave me a 2002 Maxima SE as a loaner car. It's a really nice ride and good handling, but the driver's seat is too hard or something. But that power, whew! It's unbelievable! And the trip computer says I am still averaging ~24mpg with a somewhat heavy foot (it's raining here today, and about 45 or so). It is a nice ride though.
Paul, you'll probably hit that by year's end, so you'd better start saving now! (Or looking into trading?)
Maybe we should add up the cost of the Jetta vs. the Protege, including prices paid, maintenance costs, and such. Maybe then Paul would see that he really does pay for that better warranty, loaner car program and other perks!
Meade
P.S. They won't wax the car (frankly I wouldn't want them to), but they will detail my car for me after this service -- this includes washing, vacuuming and tire shine. Not too bad for a $15,000 econobox that cost almost $10,000 less than a posh Jetta, huh?
And as far as oil changes, my VW dealer offers a package that includes 4 oil changes and 2 tire rotations a year for the next 8 years. And the package only costs $149.95. I think that's a prett good deal. Oil changes for the Protege ES at the dealer were $30 each, and did not include a rotation.
Also, I know the Jetta costs more to own than the Protege did. A moron could see that. But you have to remember, my car's loaded with options. You would get the same treatment at the dealer with a ~$15,000 Jetta GL as I do with my ~$25,000 GLS 1.8T.
BTW, that VW oil-change package isn't that great. Midas is offering oil changes AND tire rotations every 3,000 miles (I go about 20,000 a year, so I'd need more than six -- not four) FOR LIFE (of the car, that is). $179 here in Richmond, but I've heard people getting it for as low as $149 elsewhere.
Now, can I ask again for an answer to my post 10181? Anyone?
Meade
Also, it's $31.50 for an oil change for the 1.8T engine at my Goodyear, because it takes a special oil filter that costs an extra $10 from Goodyear.
Keep in mind that manual was written by a company that wants to make MONEY -- not just from car sales but from parts and maintenance too! 7,500 between oil changes is a CROCK!
Meade
I REALLY doubt that. My Canadian manual says 8.000kms (5.000 miles) for normal driving. Severe would be 5000 kms (3.000 miles?). I stil change mine at 4.000kms.
BTW, I hit 26.000 last nite. 1.700 kms and it's due for another oil change. I'll have to see what the manual says. I think I'm due for the 2 yr.svc
at 24.000kms in 7 mths. Yikes!
Dinu
We may start having flurries here in Calgary too...but on the good side, it's supposed to reach +7 C today!
Anything else?
--Dale
I remember reading a study a few years back on NY taxi cabs. Can't remember the numbers but some got changed at around 3000 and others at 7000. They saw no apparent difference in the cars.
I think every 3000 is CROCK! (LoL, Meade). I've never changed oil in any car I've owned at less than 6000 miles and I won't change now. I'm not giving in to the propaganda the big oil companies are trying to spread.....lol.
$12 (about the price of changing it yourself using Mazda's OEM oil filter) every 3,000 miles only adds up to $396 in 100,000 miles. (Compared to $240 for doing it every 5,000 miles.) We're talking a difference of $150 in 100,000 miles. Not a bad price for a healthy engine?
BTW ... ever changed your air filter?
Meade
Meade
To me, the proof is in the pudding as they say. Tests have been done, and through my own experience taking cars over 100,000 miles, I just don't see the need.
Now if you plan on driving a car 400,000 miles than maybe it makes a difference. But my intent is to never have a car longer than 100,000 miles (although thats intent, reality is a little different).
LoL, this is starting to sound like the ABS discussion on the P5 side yesterday.....
--Dale
But in terms of time between oil changes, I can't remember what the article said now.
http://cartalk.cars.com/Mail/Letters/2002/03.22/4.html
I do agree that your not doing any harm. However, the color of the oil is not strict evidence that the quality of the oil is compromised. When I put new oil into my old cars engine with 130k miles (done myself, btw), the oil would turn black after about 600-700 miles. So would that mean I should change it sooner?
I agree 7.5 is a bit high, but there are other manufactures calling for oil changes of 10k so maybe its a trend. I still feel a piece of mind changing it sooner, and 5k strikes me as a nice balance. I think most mechanics would agree that 3k, while not harmful is not necessary. The only place I hear recommending 3k is Jiffy Lube.
Steve
Oil ... well guys and gals, I'm sittin' here preaching 3,000-mile oil changes when in fact I just went the longest I've ever gone between oil changes in my 2000 ES. I had it changed yesterday, 5,000 miles since the last change. And let me tell you -- I think the Protege was getting pissed! In the last two tanks of gas (i.e. the last two weeks), my constant since new 31 mpg (commuting mpg, I get about 34 on highway trips) suddenly dropped to 26 mpg. I'm anxious to see what was the culprit: the engine idles and revs fine, so I doubt the plugs suddenly went south on me. But with all new oil, tranny fluid, coolant and plugs, I can't wait to see the difference! I'll bet my Protege is gonna act spunky and brand-spanking new again come Wednesday!
Meade
Have a good day.
Meade
Know what I miss? (You young guys aren't going to know what I'm talking about ...) I miss CANS of oil. I miss my great spout that automatically opened the can and became a pourer -- all you did was shove it onto the side of the can with a reassuring "thunk." And no mess -- I HATE those newfangled plastic (more use of our fossil fuels) bottles that GLUG GLUG all over your valve cover unless you stick your finger in 'em when you invert them. BRING BACK OIL CANS!!!! (Hey -- they were recyclable too!)
Meade
Jeff
With the paper cans, you could crush them after you used them and a whole oil change's waste would take up about a tenth of the space in your trash can that those damned bouncing bottles do!
Meade
About 3000 mile oil changes: I change the oil myself in my car and I enjoy doing it. There is something about seeing that nasty looking oil getting drained out and putting nice, new, amber colored oil in. I do it every 3000 miles because I like to do it and I know it's probably overkill. I use synthetic too. It is a piece of mind thing for me. It's overkill for most.....but, if you could choose which car you were going to buy, one that had the oil changed every 3000 with synthetic, or one that had the oil changed every 5000, which would you choose? It really doesn't cost that much more money for me to do it every 3000 miles. I probably spend less on synthetic oil changes that someone who pays for them and does it every 5000 with dino. I think when it comes time to sell my car, there will be absolutely no question as to whether or not I maintained it.
Meade
Tell me ... do you also follow the "Lather, Rinse, Repeat" instructions on your shampoo bottle?
Meade
I think I saw one of those old oil can spouts used in a movie....to pour gravy on something. (GRIN) PUnched it right through the top. My first thought was....did he clean that thing?
One side sees the car manufacturer trying to gouge money from us by having us go longer between oil changes and therefore needing to pay for repairs.
The other side sees the oil companies tricking us into buying more oil than what is really necessary..
got to love different viewpoints....
That's what I do. I think it's worth it. I don't believe in 5000miles/8000kms oil changes. Don't know why either...
Mike: Yep, the BIG BAD CAR WASH! I took it twice there, but I prefer to do it myself, although it's not too comfy to have wet pants and shoes with this weather. Problem is, whenever I wash it myself, it leaves a thin whitish film over some parts of the car (I guess more water.scrubbing would help).
Dinu
In all seriousness, Keep in mind I am a newbie to TH, as well as the world of cars. I might add that, believe it or not, I got my first drivers license only in june of last year and my Pro is my first ever car, so please don't criticise me for being naive..... cus i am not, just a newbie to this whole thing with the steeringwheel on one end and the headrest onthe other.
I still have those 4 (2 each) wheel covers for the 15" rims on your 2001 LX's. I can no longer access my hotmail account becuase of company firewall restrictions. I'm trying to set-up another off-site email account and then you can let me know where to ship you the hubcaps.
Thanks,
Tim
Would love to have one of these new engines in a P5. I think the smaller ones would fit.
nyc needs all the visitors they can get.
the traffic in nyc may be horrendeous, but wait till you see all the people!
leave your car at the hotel and take mass transportation (bus or subway).
1.50 will get you 1 ride & 1 transfer; (note: buses take only coins, and no pennies).
you can purchase an all day pass for $4.00, which will get you unlimited rides & transfers on the subway & bus for 1 day. this pass can be bought in the subway stations using the automatic machines.
if you are arriving on a weekday, best to avoid the rush hours;
use the lincoln tunnel instead of the holland tunnel or george washington bridge.
I also lament the plastic bottles are not recyclable, although the metal cans were before I started changing my own oil (or before I started driving, although I certainly remember seeing them at service stations).
I change according to the color and look of the oil on the dipstick. If I see a lot of black powdery specks, or it looks too dark or smells even remotely burnt, I change it. I figure the oil filter has given out before the oil has, but I've tried to change just the oil filter before and the resulting mess is a good enough reason to just drain and replace the oil too.
Typically, I go 3000 to 5000 miles between oil changes. It depends on how temperate the weather is and how hard I push the engine. I do notice slightly improved economy 1-3mpg after an oil change. I've been tracking my economy for 5 years now on both my cars. It's a noticeable event.