The appropriate oil change interval really depends on your driving style, operating environment, and use.
IMHO, an initial break in change should be done around 1k miles. Initial wear is higher as the moving parts first start sliding and slamming into one another. The oil will be picking up more contaminants and microscopic bits of metal during this initial period.
Ineos recommends oil change at 12k intervals. Depending on your driving conditions, a shorter interval may make more sense. If the bulk of your miles are longer highway miles under a constant load, 12k will likely work. I would be more comfortable with 6k intervals. It’s going to cost a bit more but it’s worth it for my piece of mind and my objective of getting the engine to 500k miles.
If you want to maximize your engine’s life, changing your oil more frequently than the manufacturer’s recommended 12,000-mile interval can offer extra protection, especially if you drive in severe conditions (towing, short trips, extreme temperatures (hot or cold), or lots of stop-and-go traffic).
I live in Alaska and drive daily in temperatures that generally range between -10°F and 70°F. Short trips in the winter leave oil looking like a chocolate milkshake because I don't drive hard and long enough for the oil to get to operating temperature to boil out any accumulated water vapor in the oil. As a consequence, the oil gets changed twice a year at a minimum, in Spring and Fall, regardless of mileage. Otherwise I shoot for 4k intervals. Time will tell if I am overdoing it but the cost is peanuts compared to an engine overhaul.
Shorter intervals mean fresher oil and less buildup of contaminants, which can help reduce engine wear over time. Typically, cleaner oil leads to a longer engine life.
However, following the manufacturer’s interval with modern high-quality synthetic oil is generally safe for most driving habits, and changing oil much earlier than needed mainly increases cost without dramatic benefits unless your driving falls under “severe service” conditions.
If you are really interested, this would be a great time to start oil analysis. Take a sample when changing oil at 1k, then at 6k and at 6k intervals thereafter. By the time you hit 12 to 18k, you will have a pretty good idea of the wear pattern trends and how much your oil has degraded under your particular kind of use. If it still looks clean and the analysis reveals no abnormal wear, extend the interval to the Ineos recommended 12k interval, continue oil analysis, and let us know.
