Different type of oil used in cars here?? HELP

[Rolph]

In the US we change our oil every 3 months or 3000 miles.

do you mean that US made models have that recommendation or all cars sold in US are treated like that ? I can't believe that cars like mine (2005 BMW) which are sold in USA in big numbers would have much different service intervals than the one I own here. i've done 40,000 km in the two years since new and first service was just an oil change at 20,000 and first major service+oil change was 40,000km.
Perhaps it's a reflection on how accurate modern engines are made but the time to the first service from new is growing longer and longer.

Even early'90s BMW's had long oil change intervals - depending on the driving pattern. The computer that indicates the time for an oil change takes into account the number of times the car is started for example. Fact is engines have got better and so has the oil - but old habits die hard - and it used to be a mantra that engine longlevity came from frequent oil and filter changes - and in the case of my 30 year old Jag that is still true. At the end of the day do what the manufacturer recommends. Not so hard really - avoids the old wives tales and is usually easier on the pocket.

[Cod]

http://www.carbibles.com/maintenancetips.html

before reading the above link I would have said every 10,000 km.

After reading the link (on oil), I'm leaning towards a time and drive quality factor which puts someone like me, living in a cold climate with 25km cold start runs at around three times per year

..bummer

[davin]

Hi,

I have a Peugeot partner (same as citroen berlingo).
just looked in the service manual, recommends 5w40 for finnish conditions (ie bleeding freezing)
Service intervals on mine are 12000 miles (mine is a diesel), but I always change mine every 5000 miles.
From what I can see its the same for a 1.4 petrol
Recommends Total Oil (funnily enough owned by Peugeot!)
But I have found Neste oil to be fine. Clean oil= healthy engine!

Peugeot also supply a screen to fit over the radiator to help keep the engine warmer. Me being a cheapskate find that a stolen estate agents board (ask a friend from the UK to bring one over!) work just as well.