When Sheila bought the car... the salesman told her 3500 miles initial changes & later severe service. 7500 miles "normal service". Now the Stealership service manager is recommending 3500 intervals. On the surface, I'm thinking that this is just another case of self promoting, revenue enhansement.Then, I recall that this is just a 1.4 motor. I questioned the tiny motor when she bought it but it has a great warrentee. Anybody had any real work experience? What say you?Russ

Russ, I dont have any experience with your vehicle in particular, but 7500 mile intervals is not uncommon anymore. With the advancements in oil, filters, and tighter tolerances and cleaner injection cycles in todays engines, 3 thousand mile intervals are a thing of the past. Even my former 95 toyota 4runner and my current beater 93 toyota pickup have 7500 mile intervals, thats the factories recomendarions. You should be able to find your vehicles recomendations in your service manual somewhere, I would follow those guidelines over the dealerships recomendations.

Somebody is sure making money... only holds 3 quarts of oil yet "oil change service" is pretty much the same. The list of things that qualify for "Severe Service" includes "up or down hills", "cold weather", "snow or salt on the roads", "living near the coast". Southern Calif is considered "Severe Service". I've heard that all US states are considered SS. I feel like we were taken in. 40 mpg but the frequent oil changes run up the cost of ownership. It's the wife's & not mine but I'd be inclined to run 7000, under the ordinary service. Keep all the freakin reciepts. I have a sense the makers are weasels. Her driving is not severe service for any US maker!

Wow... is that what your manual states? Id like to know what running in the cold weather and snow would do to a vehicles oil...thats just plain nuts. I was always under the assumption severe duty meant frequent start/stops, constant lugging of engine, extended idle times, etc etc.

Exerpt from OM Off Hyundai site: SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONSA - Repeatedly driving short distance of less than 5miles (8km) in normal temperature or less than 10miles (16km) in freezing temperatureB - Extensive engine idling or low speed driving for long distancesC - Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or saltspread roadsD - Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in very cold weatherE - Driving in sandy areasF - Driving in heavy traffic area over 90°F (32°C)G- Driving on uphill, downhill, or mountain roadH - Towing a Trailer, or using a camper, or roof rackI - Driving as a patrol car, taxi, other commercial use or vehicle towingJ - Driving over 100 MPH (170 Km/h)K - Frequently driving in stop-and-go conditionsThe dealership is defining all of our state to be severe service. I think it's horse pucky. I'm suggesting she stay just under the 7500 mile interval.

I would agree with what the manufacture is saying it makes alot more sense to me now. The dealership on the other hand, Unless you guys live and drive in a really dusty environment or maybe your in the city and constant stop and go traffic and/or your car never has the chance to warm up? I could see that last one making sense too because if a person typically drives only a few city blocks at a time and shuts their car off again then its going to take a long time just to reach that 3500 mile mark, it is alot of stress on an engine. Alot more than jumping on the freeway and driving 3500 straight miles. You know your car and driving habits better than they do, Im sure your making a well informed and educated decision

We live in the most rural area of "The Ocean State" as it says on the license plate. The things they call "Mountains" here are bumps by anyone else's standards. It's 10 miles to the nearest town... most of our driving would be classed as suburban. I95, I295, I195 are part of most commutes. The Stealership makes their pronouncement with no attempt to determine your driving, it's based solely on location. The Service Manager came right out & said "all driving in Rhode Island is Severe Service". It's her car & she can do as she chooses but I call B*ll Sh*t.

On my wifes old 1995 Dodge Neon bought brand new I ran 0-30 amsoil and I changed the oil filter only at 7500 miles and between there and 15K miles it would burn off enough to be on the add mark and I would do a complete service and then do a filter change at 7500 ect. Ran it up to 310K before selling it, she just got tired of driving it.