first oil change?

Tbones87 · 12-01-2008, 07:39 PM

I recently purchased my 08 lib. I have a little over 700 miles on it. Someone just told i was supposed to get an oil change at 500 miles. Is this true?

CmdrK · 12-01-2008, 07:47 PM

Actually, that's a holdover from the 1950s. There isn't a "break-in" period anymore. Just regular oil changes according to the owner's manual will be fine. Personally I do an oil change every 3,000 miles. And the 08 requires 5W20.

Tbones87 · 12-01-2008, 08:08 PM

wow really? i did not know that, i thought there was always a break-in period.

DaveJKJ · 12-01-2008, 09:40 PM

According to my 05 jeep owners manual the first oil change on the maintenance schedule was due at 3000 miles. Should be the same for yours as yours is the same motor. What does your owners manual say for the 08 model??

Avian · 12-01-2008, 09:50 PM

Some new low-tech engines require them (like reciprocating aircraft engines and some crate motors), but not on modern new cars.

My change oil light came on around 2000mi with my JK.

bigguido · 12-02-2008, 08:55 AM

Are you guys sure about the no break-in period. I was told by both Nissan and Volkswagen when I had my little cars, that even though the engines were modern, when they are machined there is a small amount of waste left behind and that initial oil and filter change is used to get rid of it. I believed them because it seems possible that a little metal could be left behind. As far as my Jeep is concerned, I fulfilled the family requirement of Jeep ownership by purchasing an immaculate pre-owned 2005. It was definitely past break-in, but I generally change the oil between 3-5K depending on the type of driving I have been doing. I will never go beyond 5K with conventional oil though.

Tbones87 · 12-02-2008, 10:02 AM

I did read my manual, and it said first oil change to be around 3-5 thousand miles. And i always change my oil around then. But i thought that you were supposed to do a break in one, to flush out the left over metal shavings or whatever may be floating around in there. When my mom bought her new ford in 05, they told her to come back at 500 miles for an oil change. No one said anything to me at jeep, so i dont know. Ill just give them a call and make sure.

Jakked · 12-02-2008, 10:08 AM

I've always wondered about this too. But I thought the purpose of the break in period was to properly seat the piston rings and to let the other components of the engine "settle."

Wouldn't any residual metal be caught by the oil filter anyway?

Whatever the answer is, consider this: what is actually the motivation of the manufacturer/dealership? To make sure your engine is in great condition for 200,000 miles? Or to make sure your engine is in great condition for 60,000 miles? (Or whatever your warranty is.)

Avian · 12-02-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakked

Or to make sure your engine is in great condition for 60,000 miles? (Or whatever your warranty is.)

Lifetime warranty.

ivorycruncher · 12-02-2008, 06:52 PM

First oil change on my 08 KK was intended for 3000 miles. The guy at the dealer said it, the onboard computer said it, and I think the owner manual says it too. I changed it a bit early, around 2600-2700 miles, because it was a convenient time to do so for me.

CmdrK · 12-02-2008, 07:16 PM

Owner's manual for the '08 says 6,000 miles, earlier years said 3,000 for "severe service" or something like that. Most of us are in the severe service category.

Maybe they now specify a longer interval to make it look like the maintainence costs are less.

liquidxit2 · 12-03-2008, 11:13 AM

The internals of an engine still create metal particles in the first few hundred miles. Is it 100% neccesary to do an oil change at 500 miles? Not really, but then again getting that out of your engine is good.

Avian · 12-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquidxit2

The internals of an engine still create metal particles in the first few hundred miles. Is it 100% neccesary to do an oil change at 500 miles? Not really, but then again getting that out of your engine is good.

I did on a 454 crate engine that I put in a truck before. Manufacturer strongly suggested it. The oil sure didnt look like it only had 500mi on it I'll tell you that.

liquidxit2 · 12-03-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avian

I did on a 454 crate engine that I put in a truck before. Manufacturer strongly suggested it. The oil sure didnt look like it only had 500mi on it I'll tell you that.

Ive done ALOT of oil changes on crate, re-man'd, and rebuilt engines at ~500miles and seen alot of glittered oil. Granted the oil filter does catch alot of it, but Id rather spend the $20-50 for the peace of mind. Especially on a several thousand dollar item like and engine. As I stated before its not 100% neccesary, rather a nice thing to do.

12-01-2008, 08:08 PM	#3
Tbones87 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Posts: 44 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	wow really? i did not know that, i thought there was always a break-in period. __________________ =========== 2011 Wrangler Sport 2dr.Mango Tango 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7L

12-02-2008, 10:02 AM	#7
Tbones87 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Posts: 44 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I did read my manual, and it said first oil change to be around 3-5 thousand miles. And i always change my oil around then. But i thought that you were supposed to do a break in one, to flush out the left over metal shavings or whatever may be floating around in there. When my mom bought her new ford in 05, they told her to come back at 500 miles for an oil change. No one said anything to me at jeep, so i dont know. Ill just give them a call and make sure. __________________ =========== 2011 Wrangler Sport 2dr.Mango Tango 2008 Jeep Liberty Sport 3.7L

12-02-2008, 10:08 AM	#8
Jakked Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Snow country Posts: 374 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I've always wondered about this too. But I thought the purpose of the break in period was to properly seat the piston rings and to let the other components of the engine "settle." Wouldn't any residual metal be caught by the oil filter anyway? Whatever the answer is, consider this: what is actually the motivation of the manufacturer/dealership? To make sure your engine is in great condition for 200,000 miles? Or to make sure your engine is in great condition for 60,000 miles? (Or whatever your warranty is.) __________________ 2004 Liberty Sport 3.7L A/T 4x4 Cmd-Trc Former 4x4s: 1999 TJ 4.0L I-6 4x4 5-Sp Mods 1986 Trooper 2.3L I-4 4x4 5-sp

12-02-2008, 08:55 AM	#6
bigguido Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: north east Posts: 77 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Are you guys sure about the no break-in period. I was told by both Nissan and Volkswagen when I had my little cars, that even though the engines were modern, when they are machined there is a small amount of waste left behind and that initial oil and filter change is used to get rid of it. I believed them because it seems possible that a little metal could be left behind. As far as my Jeep is concerned, I fulfilled the family requirement of Jeep ownership by purchasing an immaculate pre-owned 2005. It was definitely past break-in, but I generally change the oil between 3-5K depending on the type of driving I have been doing. I will never go beyond 5K with conventional oil though.

12-02-2008, 06:52 PM	#10
ivorycruncher Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 70 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	First oil change on my 08 KK was intended for 3000 miles. The guy at the dealer said it, the onboard computer said it, and I think the owner manual says it too. I changed it a bit early, around 2600-2700 miles, because it was a convenient time to do so for me.