Dealer has told me oil change interval on the CRD is 15,000km (just over 9,300miles). What are other CRD owners doing? 15,000km seems a lot to me.

planning 10000 ks unless advised otherwise

Thanks Tasar. When I was researching the vehicle I was told 15K. The service manual and owners manual both have different figures. When I had the 1,000 check the mechanic rang "head office" and they said 15K. I have 6,000 on the clock and will be doing a run to queensland that will add 5,000 or so. I think I will do the oil & filter before I go.

in uk it is 12,000. seems short as vw/audi with same engine are on longlife oils running 12-22,000 miles. will change at 12,000 to keep warranty intact although not at dealer.

At 7500 miles I took my CRD Patriot to a local engineer with a ramp to do an oil change and watched him do the job. He is used to dealing with a range of off-road vehicles as we are located in the Scottish Highlands with hill-crofting and cattle farming pre-dominant. There were a few interested in the vehicle and its features (or lack of). MPG was a positive, height off the ground not and those awful tyres. We have snow, icy inclines and thick ice to contend with at the moment I have fitted Pirelli Scorpions and kept the Continental Contacts in a shed as spares for summer use. This is what I remember of the operation which may or may not be useful to anyone considering doing the job at home.

A few plastic plugs/clips have to be removed carefully , the plastic shield below the engine has to be removed to access the sump plug, then lower the car and remove the engine cover (pulls up at four points). He was surprised to see that the car was fitted with a timing belt rather than a chain (thumbs down from him). The filter is at the front near the top and hidden below a electrical connector which must be loosened away so that access to the filter is achievable. The filter is not like the throwaway cannister ones I am used to, you uncrew and lift it out, discard the old paper filter and sealing ring. Clean it out and fit new ring and paper filter, then attempt to get the whole lot back in!!! The trick seems to be put the paper filter in the container, without cap and make sure the paper filter is sitting centrally. Replace then back in position and the cap should fit and screw home. Don't think I will be doing the job myself!

just like the manual says: 15.000 km 5W40 synthetic oil;
I also have a Caliber CRD, 80.000 kms now, and also each 15.000 km fresh oil;

(my former Opel Astra diesel and Audi TT turbo needed each 30.000 kms new oil.....0W30)

changing oil more often is throwing away money