Routine Oil Changes

[JEBar]

In my opinion the 3000 mile oil change interval is likely to change by the time this engine reaches production. I am sure the IAV engineers are well aware of the properties and useful lifespan of modern motor oils so I believe EM is just setting the bar low and giving most people an answer they have likely heard their entire lives and as such they accept readily. This also serves to set expectations low which results in a more positive experience down the line when the final determination is made which will very likely result in a longer oil change interval.

wasn't there a report saying one reason for the short change interval was the motor and transmission sharing the same oil as is commonly found with motorcycles .... I tried to find that thread but wasn't able to do so

Jim

 

[goofyone]

wasn't there a report saying one reason for the short change interval was the motor and transmission sharing the same oil as is commonly found with motorcycles .... I tried to find that thread but wasn't able to do so

Jim

I remember reading that also but frankly I find it hard to believe as we know they are using an off the shelf automotive manual transmission and I have not seen any provisions for this in the engine information we have. Remind me to ask about this when we see the team in Charlotte.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Yep, I know that we think of the Elio as a motorcycle, as does the Federal law for classification, but isn't everything about the Elio automotive? One would think that the oil change in principle would be the same as any other existing car. Other than what's been discussed already, since there is only one rear wheel, provisions need to be made to either keep that wheel on the ground or add a middle track to the pit / lift.

 

[JEBar]

I remember reading that also but frankly I find it hard to believe as we know they are using an off the shelf automotive manual transmission and I have not seen any provisions for this in the engine information we have. Remind me to ask about this when we see the team in Charlotte.

I'm much relieved .... I wasn't hallucinating .... as I remember, with a shared oil the discussion was the 3,000 mile oil interval made sense .... without it

Jim

 

[Jim H]

In my opinion the 3000 mile oil change interval is likely to change by the time this engine reaches production. I am sure the IAV engineers are well aware of the properties and useful lifespan of modern motor oils so I believe EM is just setting the bar low and giving most people an answer they have likely heard their entire lives and as such they accept readily. This also serves to set expectations low which results in a more positive experience down the line when the final determination is made which will very likely result in a longer oil change interval.

It's hard to "teach an old dog new tricks" and I have been changing my oil every 3000 miles for more than 50 years now. Never had an engine failure and have put over 400K miles on some of my vehicles. It's cheap insurance and it helps focus on caring for your vehicle. I will be changing the oil in my Elio at 3000 miles and cost will be inconsequential.

 

[CompTrex]

It's hard to "teach an old dog new tricks" and I have been changing my oil every 3000 miles for more than 50 years now. Never had an engine failure and have put over 400K miles on some of my vehicles. It's cheap insurance and it helps focus on caring for your vehicle. I will be changing the oil in my Elio at 3000 miles and cost will be inconsequential.

I read somewhere, I'll try to find it someday, that one of the largest wastes of oil that this country experiences is throwing away motor oil before it's needed. Consider if everyone that changes their oil every 3000 miles, really only needs to change it every 7000 miles, that would cut the amount of oil used in HALF!
I can't back this up, and I am not considering what is done with the used motor oil, it may be recycled so these numbers go down, but something to consider.
Yes, the cost per person is minimal (I can't spell inconsequential), but the over-all countries dependency on foreign oil...?

 

[electroken]

wasn't there a report saying one reason for the short change interval was the motor and transmission sharing the same oil as is commonly found with motorcycles .... I tried to find that thread but wasn't able to do so

Jim

The most recent photos we've seen of the engine don't support a shared sump lubrication design. That very round, smooth surface at the tail end of the crankshaft is for the rear main seal, and you wouldn't bother using one in a shared sump engine.

 

[Jim H]

I read somewhere, I'll try to find it someday, that one of the largest wastes of oil that this country experiences is throwing away motor oil before it's needed. Consider if everyone that changes their oil every 3000 miles, really only needs to change it every 7000 miles, that would cut the amount of oil used in HALF!
I can't back this up, and I am not considering what is done with the used motor oil, it may be recycled so these numbers go down, but something to consider.
Yes, the cost per person is minimal (I can't spell inconsequential), but the over-all countries dependency on foreign oil...?

My used oil is recycled so I don't consider it wasted but rather reprocessed which reduces the demand on new petroleum. I am not an environmentalist and find it interesting that when we do something that supports the environmental recycling agenda it is often criticized as not enough. I guess I will continue to "waste" oil when I change my oil every 3000 miles.

 

[Johnapool]

I use Fram's Ultra oil filter along with Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic oil, and I go 12,000 miles between changes. Nothing really exotic there, not even sure for sure that all this is any better than ordinary stuff, but I sure feel good when I do it. Giving your vehicle good care must produce some kind of serotonin......I'll let you know when my li'l Scion Xb reaches 200,000. 142K right now with no oil used between changes.

 

[CompTrex]

My used oil is recycled so I don't consider it wasted but rather reused which reduces the demand on new petroleum. I am not an environmentalist and find it interesting that when do something that supports the environmental agenda it is often criticized as not enough.

Well, there you go. I stand corrected.
I told you I couldn't back it up!