I heard from others that some vehicles require you to change your oil after the iinitial 1000 miles. That the case with the Patriot?

Also, when will most be changing the oil? The manual says ever 6000 under normal conditions.... is that safe?

My brother had to have an oil changed in his car about 500 miles I think. Our pickup they just scheduled it. I've always been told every 3 months or 3,000 miles. I'm going to keep doing that!!

There's a thread on this board about engine break in theories as well as oil change theroies... I'll see if I can find it.

Edit (1 minute later - really!): http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1058

I heard from others that some vehicles require you to change your oil after the iinitial 1000 miles. That the case with the Patriot?

Also, when will most be changing the oil? The manual says ever 6000 under normal conditions.... is that safe?

It depends on the conditions you drive in. I do a lot of stoping and starting while taking my daughter to school never get over 45 for right at about 10 miles two times a day. I do go other places mostly simi close to the house. I change my oil every 3500 miles. My husband drives across town at a stedy 65 mph for about 40 min sometimes more every day he gets his car's oil changed every 5000 miles.

my pontiac g6 has an evic that tells you when oil change is needed based on driving conditions, and it averages about 5500 miles before saying is ready

my Acura TL has the same and with the synthetic oil Acura recommended I get about 6500-8000 miles between oil changes depending on driving conditions.

Depends on your driving habits & environment. I drive pretty mellow, and based on this driving pattern, probably could get away with every 6000 miles oil change. However, I live in a hilly area, and I offroad (much dirt). So, I will change every 3000 miles, but check the oil every 1000 miles.

That being said, my brother gave me a 1989 pontiac grand am with 200,000+ miles. I got the oil changed on that car every 3000 miles (due to excessive miles), and I put on at least 50,000 more, and it ran w/o problems. I sold it for about $500, and the new owner is still driving it to this day (original engine)!

I have 120 miles on my Pat and will change the oil after 1000 miles. After that every 3000 with non-synthetic or 6000 if I decide to use synthetic.