Siena:

If the engine's already on the way out, changing the oil so frequently won't help, it's just wasting money. It's actually more beneficial in such cases, to leave the oil in as long as possible, so it gets thick and black. A knocking engine will be quieter with dirty, thick oil. Many knocking engine have lasted over 6,000 miles with careful driving, and simply topping up the oil. And many of these worn engines have expired immediately after an oil change, smashing rods through the block.



My Audi S8 and BMW 120d M-Sport both have service indicators, the Audi A4 has one too. For cars without, you simply go by mileage. If the manufacturer indicates every 12,000 miles, that's what you go bo. So once it's serviced, you either take note of the mileage, or zero the trip meter (most Japmobiles have trip A and B so use just A). Once the trip approaches the 12,000 mark, then a service is due. Or on cars without trip meter, once the mileage you recorded at the last service approaches the additional 12,000 miles, a service is due.

The colour of the oil is NOT an accurate indicator as to when a service is due. Oil goes black due to three major factors - minute metal particles, dust that gets past the air filter (those running without air filters, take note!!) and contamination from the fuel. In the case of a diesel engine, sulphur present in diesel will darken the oil within a week. This does not mean an oil change is due weekly! A brand new engine will also have more internal friction, so the oil will get dark much earlier than an older engine that's been run-in. If the car is driven hard, and does more than 12,000 miles per year in dusty conditions, then you can make your servicing once every 6 months. Not monthly, or quarterly. Your car will cost you an absolute fortune to run otherwise, with no real benefit.

Spark plugs, fuel filter and pollen (cabin) filters (if fitted) are due every other service, so typically once every 18,000 miles approx. Air filters should be replaced every oil and filter change, due to dusty conditions.

chucky234: Happy cruising ooooo

tpacalipse: I just acquired a camry 1996 model from Nairaland last week. Just give me this month to get to know the ride. I will be back with story by next month. Btwn, the little I have observed about the car is not bad because I used about 25 litres of fuel from Ibadan to Ekiti last Wednesday, Even though I drove for more than 1hr within Ib before hitting the highway and the tank was empty before I bought thhe fuel.

In a month's time, I shall know more about the ride's consumption.

ijigbamigb: Seeing what Siena, and Wallie posted here, I think I should stick tight to my tax-free economy, and govt here...

I drive a Corolla LE 2004. V4. Barely 2 years old.
I spend 1500 naira weekly on gas = 6000/monthly = 72,000
3500naira/monthly goes to servicing = 42,000
MOT = NO
Road Tax = there are no taxable roads in Nigeria.
Annual Car Registration = 10,000 (actually covers all taxes)

All makes 124,000 naira in a year. I think that's ok for corper like me.

Siena:

Bros, even if you be Wakajugbe sef wey dey drive moto from Yola go Las Gidi every two days, no mean say you go dey change engine oil d way you dey do am, hehehe.

On a serious note, it's pointless changing engine oil, without replacing the filter. A dirty oil filter will contaminate the fresh oil as soon as you start the engine. The oil filter on most cars holds on average a quart of oil, which is not removed by draining. It's a false economy. If you change your oil and filter frequently, it should be no more than once every 6 months. Any more frequent is as good as putting your hard-earned money into a blast furnace, and watching it burn.

captalex: Car: 1999 Toyota camry
Fuel consumption: 7000 for a full tank,
Haven't serviced it yet
But the car seller said that I was and reuse the original oil filter that cam with the car
Just a week old but much fun to drive.

Siena:

Do that, only if you're looking to kill your engine. New oil - new filter, no exceptions.

anneki: Hello All,

5W-20 and 5W-30 viscosity engine oils are now available

Manufacturers Recommendation for:

Available @
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx - 000 Xoooo Bleep, Xxxx, Xxxxx. 08035000000, 08085000000
Xxxx Car Wash - 000 A E Xxxxxxxx St, Xxxxx, Xxxxx. 08055000000, 07032000000

Siena:


I'm a burglar, and supplement my meagre burglar income with armed robbery by night.

captalex:


I change the engine oil and filter every month to allow the engine breathe,I drive like a jackrabbit because of Lagos madness.

forbisi:
First post here was created in 2012 and last post was 2015.
Please do these figures still apply now?

This is my situation: my car will be arriving next week and I am trying to find out how much I will be spending on fuel per month. Reside in Ikoyi, work in Lekki phase 1 , so obviously, I won't be consuming that much fuel. The monster here is the link bridge tollgate. Mehn, 250 per trip, 500 go come every day, that's 10,000 per month.
Before now, I have been seeing free ride to work and I stroll back home after work. Yes, it's really refreshing to walk on that bridge in the evening, no matter how tired you are, the breeze from the sea will soothe you.
Now to be spending 10k monthly just on tollgate? Asides from fuel and other charges? Really scary.