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Don't take the number of miles as gospel. In general, you need an oil change earlier if
- The engine is new. Metal particles from a new engine and parts can get into the oil system and not necessarily get caught by the filter, either because they're too small, or so large that they don't circulate.
- High rev driving. The harder you drive the engine, the more wear per mile/km.
- Cold temperatures. A quick trip when your engine starts ice cold puts more wear than hours of driving after the engine is warm.
The combination of high rev driving and cold engine temperatures is an absolute killer. Get your oil changed at least every couple of thousand miles if you do that.
Changing the oil more often than the service interval does not hurt. Compared with the price of the car, insurance, fuel and everything else, the costs are minuscule.
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