At what mileage do you perform your very first oil change?

[Mister Lamb]

Curious what the overall consensus is

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[outdoor.adventures]

Many manufacturers use a special "factory fill" oil that may contain higher levels of additives like molybdenum or zinc/phosphorus (ZDDP) to provide extra protection during the initial wear-in period.

For modern engines, manufacturers usually recommend not changing the oil too early (e.g., at 500 or 1,000 miles) because the factory fill is designed to stay in for the full first oil change interval. This allows the additives to do their job and lets the engine components wear in properly.

So unless your owner’s manual or dealer tells you otherwise, it’s generally best to leave the factory oil in until the recommended first service.

The factory fill oil is also part of why OEM recommended break-in periods encouraging moderate driving are so short now (JL/JT owner's manual only says 300mi).

TL;DR: If you do your first oil change early, there's a chance you're robbing your engine of some factory oil break-in benefits.

 

[Labswine]

I did my first change at around 1,500 miles. It was done at the stealership (free of charge through the Jeep Cares program, or WTF ever it was called) and I asked them to filter the oil so I could see it. It was LOADED with metal particles from any flash that wore off the parts, plus gotta think, they made it past the oil filter too.

Now it gets done every 5,000 miles.

 

[dajudge]

I don't remember exactly, but it was shortly after I got home from picking it up. 1200 mile drive home from Nampa, ID. Probably around 1500 miles.

 

[DylanM]

I always do the first oil change at 300-500 miles. It's not about whether the oil is still good or not, it's all about flushing out the metal debris that is a normal product of a new engine wearing in.

 

[kevman65]

On the Dealer lot right after signing the paper work.......

 

[Hootbro]

Many manufacturers use a special "factory fill" oil that may contain higher levels of additives like molybdenum or zinc/phosphorus (ZDDP) to provide extra protection during the initial wear-in period.

That is highly debatable about "special factory fill" break in motor oils being used and more of the elevated Moly and Zinc being attributed to the assembly lubes used when the engines were built and added little benefit after first engine start and engine oil pressure prime.

I have been down this rabbit hole before and in my opinion, all indications is that the factory fill is a product called "Pennzoil Gold 0W-20" it is one of the few cheaper synthetic blends in 0W-20 that meet the MS-6395 spec. Years back, it could be found retail in quarts and 5 quart jugs but now, is regulated to bulk packaging for shop oil change use.

 

[DylanM]

That is highly debatable about "special factory fill" break in oils being used and more of the elevated Moly and Zinc being attributed to the assembly lubes used when the engines were built and added little benefit after first engine start and engine oil prime.

Not to mention using elevated ZDDP oil would poison the emissions equipment and lead to even more failed parts that would have to be covered under warranty.

 

[Hootbro]

Not to mention using elevated ZDDP oil would poison the emissions equipment and lead to even more failed parts that would have to be covered under warranty.

Yup! Too much Zinc/ZDDP also become corrosive and is a fine balance in use with engine oils. More is not always better.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That is highly debatable about "special factory fill" break in motor oils being used and more of the elevated Moly and Zinc being attributed to the assembly lubes used when the engines were built and added little benefit after first engine start and engine oil pressure prime.

I have been down this rabbit hole before and in my opinion, all indications is that the factory fill is a product called "Pennzoil Gold 0W-20" it is one of the few cheaper synthetic blends in 0W-20 that meet the MS-6395 spec. Years back, it could be found retail in quarts and 5 quart jugs but now, is regulated to bulk packaging for shop oil change use.

That's old-school thinking.
They leave the factory with the recommended oil.
The problem with the thinking on "break-in" oils is that they prevent wearing in of parts.

Not to mention using elevated ZDDP oil would poison the emissions equipment and lead to even more failed parts that would have to be covered under warranty.

Exactly - They also can't use elevated ZDDP due to the impact on the cats.

I have an article somewhere stating that FCA actually uses the oil you state.

Break-in oil is a myth. It went the way of the dinosaur and non-detergent oils.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You don't really have my numbers in the poll. It may vary from 2500 to 4K, depending on weather, driving habits during that time and other factors. I have no hard fast rule. Like the oil life monitor, I track how it's been used, many factors. I then decide on one slightly early change and then carry on with my regular changes. If it's been used hard - then I change sooner. But I'd say typically 3K depending.

I've built a lot of engines in my years - I build them, drive them, to get them broke in, change the oil after a couple thou and move on.
I've normally not gone under a thousand or two - depending on the vehicle and who it was for and other factors.

For others, I may recommend sooner since I don't have control over THEIR driving and/or vehicle use.

 

[RHINO79]

Around 700 miles, I have always done mine.

 

[dave33]

I did mine at 1700 miles. Not because I had any special inside knowledge or insights, I just wanted an early first change for any possible benefits but mostly because my jeep had been sitting on the lot for about a year so felt it was a good idea. Will be following a 5k interval from this point on.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

but mostly because my jeep had been sitting on the lot for about a year so felt it was a good idea.

Sitting = bad.
Short drives = bad.
Never getting it up to temperature and running it for 10-20 minutes after the oil is fully hot = bad.
Give me a vehicle that's seen mostly 30+ minute drives - even longer, you can keep the little old lady vehicle that was only driven to and from work or a store 10 miles each way. I have steel oil pans on my shelves with pin holes in them - RUST - from the inside-out. I keep them to show people what happens with short drives and sitting.

Some have shown that oil doesn't age well just sitting around. Makes sense since it's mostly chemicals.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

When the light goes off.

Every vehicle, ever time.

Whatever oil the dealer puts in it.

Every vehicle, every time.

My Silverado did 370,000 miles and I sold it. Our FJ Cruiser did 220,000 miles and we sold it. Our Ram did 445,000 miles and caught fire on the block heater, our Grand Cherokee did 285,000 miles and we sold it.

Change the oil, when the light goes off, with whatever is on the cap. No sooner, no deviations, no trans flushes, no antifreeze dipping, no other maintenance, at all, ever.

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