First Oil Change?

lionfish42 · 02-16-2004, 09:10 PM

We recently purchased a 04 WRX Sedan in December. I asked them when I should do the first oil change? The service guy said that the recommendation is at the 3k mark and told me the break-in period is 1k miles.

We have about almost 2k miles on it, we drove it below 3.5k RPM the first 1k.

However, I have been reading about changing oil at the first 1k marker. Is this neccessary? Will I be damaging the car if I have not?

I called the service again after reading posts on here about changing oil after the 1st 1k and he said that it is not neccessary, but I should check it. I did and it look fine.

Am I missing something?

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Zola · 02-16-2004, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lionfish42
However, I have been reading about changing oil at the first 1k marker. Is this neccessary? Will I be damaging the car if I have not?

If going past 1,000 miles with the original oil would damage the car, the manufacturer wouldn't recommend 3,750 mile intervals. You'll be fine. Change it now if you like, or leave it in until the mileage specified in your owner's manual.

Joel

Unabomber · 02-16-2004, 10:42 PM

More frequent oil changes=no harm
Less frequent oil changes=harm

Follow your owner's manual as it's your #1 source for information and it's advice is far better than what anyone else will tell you.

joubtt · 02-17-2004, 01:00 AM

Stick to the manual. Change it.

Pirana · 02-17-2004, 01:31 AM

The factory oil comes with some extra detergents and thats why the recomend you keep it at least the 3,000 miles to absorb all the leftover materials in the block.

grindMARC · 02-17-2004, 10:15 AM

I've done a 1k change on both my WRX and my wife's Protege 5. The color of the oil on both was the worst looking oil I've ever taken out of either car. And yes, I was easy on the WRX for the first 1k.

If it looked clean at 1k, I might not have done it.

Psydotek · 02-17-2004, 12:03 PM

I had the dealer do the first one at 3k miles just to "be safe" (from what, i have no idea really...) But since then i've done them all. Oh yeah, i had a $19.95 coupon for it too.

Stanley · 02-17-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pirana
The factory oil comes with some extra detergents and thats why the recomend you keep it at least the 3,000 miles to absorb all the leftover materials in the block.

Do you have a reference for that?
People have said that the first fill of oil is extremely light weight oil, or that it has extra detergents, but I have seen absolutely no evidence. My guess is that they use the cheapest 5-30 they can find and call it good.

My *opinion* is that it can't hurt to change your oil a little early, especially on the first fill as any metal that would wind up in the oil due to normal break-in would tax the filter above and beyond what an oil filter usually has to deal with. OTOH, I have got to believe any benefit (or harm) to changing your first fill of oil early is marginal at best. YMMV

Asinine · 02-17-2004, 02:55 PM

I was wondering the same thing... got 900mi on my '04 WRX.

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02-16-2004, 09:10 PM	#1
lionfish42 Scooby Newbie Member#: 41016 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francsico Vehicle: 2004 WRX Blue	First Oil Change? We recently purchased a 04 WRX Sedan in December. I asked them when I should do the first oil change? The service guy said that the recommendation is at the 3k mark and told me the break-in period is 1k miles. We have about almost 2k miles on it, we drove it below 3.5k RPM the first 1k. However, I have been reading about changing oil at the first 1k marker. Is this neccessary? Will I be damaging the car if I have not? I called the service again after reading posts on here about changing oil after the 1st 1k and he said that it is not neccessary, but I should check it. I did and it look fine. Am I missing something? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

02-16-2004, 10:42 PM	#3
Unabomber Big Ron Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: I can save you a ton of cash Vehicle: on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy	More frequent oil changes=no harm Less frequent oil changes=harm Follow your owner's manual as it's your #1 source for information and it's advice is far better than what anyone else will tell you.

02-17-2004, 01:00 AM	#4
joubtt Scooby Specialist Member#: 33901 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Vehicle: 04 04 STI No AWD, Not interested	Stick to the manual. Change it.

02-17-2004, 01:31 AM	#5
Pirana Scooby Newbie Member#: 55197 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somewhere in Time	The factory oil comes with some extra detergents and thats why the recomend you keep it at least the 3,000 miles to absorb all the leftover materials in the block.

02-17-2004, 10:15 AM	#6
grindMARC Scooby Specialist Member#: 23547 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Trenton, NJ Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon Mersoydes 300SDL	I've done a 1k change on both my WRX and my wife's Protege 5. The color of the oil on both was the worst looking oil I've ever taken out of either car. And yes, I was easy on the WRX for the first 1k. If it looked clean at 1k, I might not have done it.

02-17-2004, 12:03 PM	#7
Psydotek Scooby Guru Member#: 44168 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: In your pant[ie]s. Vehicle: 2003 Yellow WRX with too many lights...	I had the dealer do the first one at 3k miles just to "be safe" (from what, i have no idea really...) But since then i've done them all. Oh yeah, i had a $19.95 coupon for it too.

02-17-2004, 02:55 PM	#9
Asinine Sufficiently Snarky Member#: 55173 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: I beat up big rocks Vehicle: with paddles.	I was wondering the same thing... got 900mi on my '04 WRX.