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Oil interval

BoxsterLL11

BoxsterLL11

PCGB Member
Member
Bought my current 981 in February this year.
It was serviced by an OPC in November 2016.
I owned my previous 987 for only 15 months before trading in for the 981 so never got it serviced during that time.

The oil interval has flashed up today, due in 15,700 miles or 30 days.
The next service is not due until November 2018 or 15,700 miles.

It was serviced on 17.11.2016 and has done less than 4,500 miles since.
I thought the oil service interval was 2 years, same as the 2 year inspection service.
So why am I getting the head-up oil service warning light?

And if an oil change is not needed, can the warning be reset with a bog-standard OBD code reader.
 
Oil should have been changed when it was serviced and the service intervals reset on the computer, I think you have had previous issues around this car so definitely need to get straight on to the OPC?
 
I have contacted the OPC that serviced the car last year, spoke to their service department, and I believe I have been fobbed off with the information that there is an oil quality sensor in the engine that flashes up the oil service light if it detects reduced oil quality and is probably due to the low mileage since November 2016.
However, the car has only ever done 4000 miles per year from new.
The oil service light has come up warning due in 30 days, which will be exactly 12 months between the two services in November 2016 & November 2018.
So it appears the warning is date driven, not perceived oil quality driven.
I have also been informed from an independent Porsche specialist that there is no oil quality sensor and it is very unusual for this warning to come up between main/intermediate/main services and within the 20,000 mileage limit.
So was the oil changed, was the interval reset at the time of the last service.
 
I have had another communication from the OPC that serviced the car last year and this time they agree the oil service light has come up in error and just needs resetting.
I phoned my local OPC to arrange getting it reset which they agreed to do but also want to book the car in for a check over as to why it has come up.
Have today taken the car to a local independent Porsche specialist who reset the light but before doing so said that when the car is serviced in November 2018, we will have to remember to reset the oil service light because in resetting it today, it would move it on 20,000 miles / 24 months from today.
But after resetting it today, it has reset to October 2018 (in 12 months) which is very strange as the car software obviously has a 12 month interval for the oil service yet has 2/4 years for the intermediate & major service respectively.
Yet the Boxster has a 2 year oil service interval same as the maintenance service intervals.
 
Perceived wisdom is to change the oil and filters every year, regardless of official service intervals. My 987 gen 2 S only does circa 4k per annum, but I always change oil regardless every 12 months. Peace of mind.
 
That's what I do, (987.2) but was slagged off on Boxster forum for not waiting 2 years / 20,000 miles "like Porsche say"

IMHO oil technology improvements are the single biggest reason for the improved engine life of modern cars. And probably fully synthetic is good for 10,000 miles +. But why take the chance?
 
Not sure why people chose to criticise you for choosing to service your car. I have been thinking about changing the oil in my car each year just to make sure the one thing that helps protect the engine is in good condition. I have never heard of an engine suffering from too many oil changes. Welcome views from other members and their experiences.
 
I think they took it as implied criticism of their decision to wait 20,000 miles.
 
Not sure its a waste of money. firstly, its a premium brand so why would you not invest in its operation. Secondly, its personal choice so its lovely that people have an opinion about when others should change their oil, but that is only down to the person who pays for the oil change. Oil technology has moved on, but surely cleaner oil is better for the engine, so like its already been quoted why take the chance?
 
Having given this some thought, although it was not my initial intention to do any servicing on the Boxster (as I have two classic MG's and a jap import that I am forever servicing & maintaining), I think I will now change the engine oil & filter myself in the knowledge that I know it has been done.

Next question, I know the Porsche recommendation is Mobil 1 engine oil but my local independent state they use "Petronas syntium longlife oil" which they state exceeds the Porsche A40 oil Specification.
So I intend to visit euro car parts this weekend (35% discount) and buy 2 x 4 litres Petronas (Syntium 3000 E Engine Oil - 5W-40). £36 for 8 litres.
I used this in my 2004 MG TF just before I sold it.
Euro car parts list this as the recommended oil for the 981 or does anybody think I should stick with Mobil 1.
 
Just had a thought, car still has 12 months of Porsche warranty to run.
Should I just leave everything as it is then perhaps start doing the oil myself once the warranty expires.
 
Are you intending keeping the car long term and extending the warranty ?
What mileage are you intending ?


 
I expect I will not be extending the warranty (dependent on cost) as after the warranty expires I was just going to get my local independent to do the servicing.
Car has only done 4000 miles a year from new and I don't expect to do much more than that.
And as yet, its a keeper, as even though its low spec its colour makes it individual and I don't think I'll find another Boxster better than the one I have.
 
In that case I would change the oil annually.
I believe that a two year warranty / assistance is ~ £1100, not sure if that includes the 111 point prior inspection.


 
I believe if you want a Porsche warranty, every part has to be Porsche-approved, even where there are better and less expensive options e.g. tyres and batteries, which you are paying for yourself as they are outside the warranty terms. For example, my recent Michelin Pilot Sport 4s wouldn't be allowed, although PS2s would be.
 
Hi, this is an interesting discussion. Would the OPC know what oil is in the car, as surely they wouldn’t ‘test’ the removed oil to check it was Mobil 1 (?) Why would they be suspicious unless it was uncommonly clean on inspection.
I too am tempted to replace the oil at 12 months just for peace of mind, as I, and many other bikers, have replaced engine oil during the warranty/service intervals especially if ridden hard (but Not over-revved) and we care for the engine.
 
Your above thoughts were mine also, how would they know.
If something were to go wrong during the warranty period, they might then investigate but would they go to any lengths to test used engine oil as to its origin.
And one used/dirty oil filter looks much like any other.
I am a classic car man, my classics get very little yearly use so against my engineering beliefs, I do not change the oil on these cars as often as 12 months compared to cars I have had in the past that got daily usage.
But this is a performance engine and although in this case the engine is not over-revved, used for track days or sees high mileage, I have always said the oil is the engine's life blood.
Oil technology and engine build specifications have moved on considerably since the days of my 46 year old 1800 MG B engine.
For the sake of £50 to change the oil myself, it seems ludicrous not to.
After all, changing the oil & filter is not rocket science.
 
As your car is still under warranty I would get your OPC to check and fix the oil service interval - just so it's correct. Then I'm in the camp which would change the oil more often than 2 years if planning on keeping the car - and I would always use the recommended oil too no matter how good other brands are supposed to be. I think you can buy Mobil oil at discounted price saving money so why take a risk with another brand.
 
So true, why take the risk of using another oil other than Mobil 1, despite the fact that other top car manufacturers are not in the habit of recommending their own choice of top oil otherwise they risk their car engines and therefore reputations.
Not sure what Porsche charge these days.. but as you probably know, Mobil 1 can be had for <£8/litre and as the sun is out then it’s an excuse for a brisk run to heat it up and change it ??
 
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