agreed. The filters only catch large particles. The oil suspends other contaminants. Once the oil hits a saturation point, it's ineffective regardless of the filter.

 

Didn't the 2012 3.6 have some head problems? Maybe that's why they switched to 5w20? An honest question.
I'm very surprised the Mini takes 5 quarts. My mother in law has a Mini and it takes way ore than that. Anyway, to each their own. If it's working for you, do it.

 

I just do what has been a proven track record passed down from my father. Oil and filter changed every 3K miles using OEM recommended weight.

Here's been the track record, never a knock, ping, tap or burning oil.

Father 1982 K-Car= 250K miles before he finally traded it in.

Me 1992 Chevy S-10 pickup= 225K miles, replaced clutch pad once, had some front fender damage, gave it to friend who did body and engine repair. Said he took the engine apart, told me the valves, and the cylinders looked brand new. Drove it another 30K miles before getting in an accident where someone rear ended him and off to the bone yard.

2009 JKU= 120K miles and still going strong.

Maybe, I've been throwing away good oil but for the cost of an oil change, it just seems worth it to me.

 

Amen!

 

when the 2013 came out and switched oil, most armchair analysts said it was to eek out another tiny bit of MPG for the cafe standards requirements. Daughters mini is a 2005. We've owned it since 2008 and I do all the maintenance. Yep, takes 5 qts. I personally do my JKU every 5000 miles because I am comfortable with that and it's easy to remember. Lots of people on this forum do the same. Back to the ops original post: I bought my JKU brand new. Now has 78k. I think my change oil message has only come on about 5 times. I pay no attention to that, just change every 5k.

 

you got me thinking so I looked up the mini info. 2002 through 2013 had oil capacity of 4.5 quarts. 2013 thru 2016 non S models are also 4.5 quarts. The only ones specified as having higher capacity is the 2014 through 2016 and that is still only 5.28 quarts. Hope your mother in law is not paying for more quarts than what's required each time!
True - higher quantity of oil lets you go further intervals, but that's not the case with the mini. It's just a good engine design coupled with high quality synthetic oil.

 

You guys worry too much.

How many posts do you see on here about 3.6s destroying motors caused by not changing oil on time? I have yet to see one.

Oil longevity has much more to do with oil capacity. Oil quality has become so much better, as has gasoline quality, and engine build quality, and engine emissions. The 3.6s also have oil cooler/warmers to control oil temperature (help the oil come up to temp faster and then maintain that temp while running). What are some of the biggest enemies of oil? Moisture and excessive heat. That is why partly why new vehicles will run at 210-230F coolant temps. The oil capacity helps with the heat, but is a hindrance when it comes to warming up and taking those short trips.

Then you move to the filter. The 3.6 has the cartridge type filter, many consider as a more reliable and efficient form of filtering over the spin-on canister filter. Either way, it's nice because you can see what condition it is in when performing an oil change. How many people have found excessive (or any) contaminants in their filters? I'll bet none... Small stuff does get caught in there of course, but if you are finding anything you can see with your eyes, you have some issues not cured by an oil change going on.

The reason European cars have made the push to longer and longer service intervals? That easy, it's very expensive to dispose of oil in Europe. And new oil is very expensive as well. They are much more environmentally oriented over there (right or wrong), so customers demand longer service intervals. Can the cars take it? I'm sure they can. Auto manufacturers have been recommending 7500+ oil change intervals since at least the 80s. That was 30+ years ago when cars were still carbureted.

 

I agree with this, in that most people change their oil way too often. My trick, just run my fingers over the dipstick and then rub the oil between your fingers and thumb and feel if it is still slick or feels rough. Surprisingly, this is an easy and effective way to determine how your oil is doing.

People changing every 3k have been effectively brainwashed by marketers wanting a higher income for their shareholders. It's a waste, not only for your pocket book, but the environment.

 

Oh my....I'm brainwashed. That's cool, at least I seem to be in good company riding along side posers on the trails with EVO gear and stickers plastered across their windshield.

 

I wish my fingers could do chemical analysis. 😉