When to first service...

[JackieChan]

I know a lot of people say to service their cars after the first 1000kms, but I've also been told that only Japanese cars need the first service after 1000kms... or that I should do it after 5000km.. and also that I can just stick to the normal service plan, 15000km or once every year. Now I'm just confused.

FYI I just recently bought a Pacific.

So what do you guys think?

[SoVeReIgN]

How long are you going to keep the car?

Personally, i'd change the oil at 1000kms, then again between services (so every 7500) but i'm pretty anal when it comes to that sh*t (pun not intended )

If you don't drive it hard and you aren't going to keep the car for long, you'll be fine to just stick to the standard intervals, maybe do 1 early service to start with then leave it.

[pinzvidz]

1,000km services on Jap vehicles are just inspections these days, nothing more. Oil and filter usually at 10K or 15K. The agricultural redneck Toyota LC78 V8 TD ute doesn't have its oil and filter done until 20K!

Anyways, back to far superior vehicles here... although the oil level did get down quite dramatically in our GTI up until 7½K, we did our first oil and filter at 7½K and have done every 7½K since.

[Manaz]

The oil that's in the engine when you pick the car up is a "running in" oil, which in theory should be replaced after 5,000km or so, though I was told by a dealer that it's good enough oil to be left in place until the first scheduled service at 15,000km.

Like pinzvids though, I tend to change oil myself half way between scheduled services anyway.

[SoVeReIgN]

The oil that's in the engine when you pick the car up is a "running in" oil, which in theory should be replaced after 5,000km or so, though I was told by a dealer that it's good enough oil to be left in place until the first scheduled service at 15,000km.

The dealer is telling you fibs - The oil in from new is no different to what they put in it later in it's life

[Manaz]

Two separate dealers told me about running-in oil, only one mentioned it was OK to leave it in the engine.

*shrug*

[Greg Roles]

The dealer is telling you fibs - The oil in from new is no different to what they put in it later in it's life

The old and never confirmed "running in" deal. Even the manufacturers are loathe to confirm this. In a petrol car there's only one way to be sure....drop it and refill it yourself from new.

If it's a diesel, the oil never changes, has to be syn. Petrol is a different matter, and I "believe" there is a mineral oil supplied, which changes to syn at service time....if that drum happens to be open on the day.....depends on the dealer.

Doing half way changes yourself is good thinking, and cheap insurance. Just be sure to use approved oil, ESPECIALLY in the PD oilers.