End of the 3,000 mile oil change?

[lurkingdirk]

What do you guys think? I've always waited a lot longer between than 3,000 miles, and I've had very good luck with my cars.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/y...=me&adxnnlx=1284472892-zcQhIqMFXIzS18jBT9bD4g

“There was a time when the 3,000 miles was a good guideline,” said Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for the car site Edmunds.com. “But it’s no longer true for any car bought in the last seven or eight years.”

If the manufacturers get behind this, and people start believing it, it could mean a lot less used oil hanging around...

 

[ShikokuKichiguy]

5,000+ miles has worked for me for a long, long time.
Frequent changes are for old-ass beaters (d'oh, that kinda describes me).

 

[ManifestDestiny]

ive heard 3K is a myth and ive been known to let mine go 3.5 and sometimes get over 4K between changes. i frequently check my oil and all other fluids, however, and my car doesn't burn oil. in addition it always looks clean. keep up on your plugs and coolant and make sure your car doesnt burn or leak fluids and it will thank you for it in the long run.

 

[Facetious]

I'm sticking to 3,ooo mile oil changes with regular oil and maybe 6,ooo miles with full synthetic (not synth blend oils). Also if you're a do it yourselfer, always pre oil the filter before screwing it in place and just 1/2 full is fine, otherwise you'll tend to make a mess! :1orglaugh

Don't buy a cheapo filter either, I'd strongly recommend a Wix or Bosch oil filter. :thumbsup:

If the manufacturers get behind this, and people start believing it, it could mean a lot less used oil hanging around...

If the manufacturers get behind this they simply wish to sell more cars! ;p

As far as the ''oil hangin around'' business, I'd like to think that do it yourselfers use the oil recycling programme that's built into their weekly garbage collection (if applicable).
In my area we've had oil collection for years now, the jugs are even provided just for the askin'! :hatsoff:

 

[ManifestDestiny]

ftw

 

[~~whimsy~~]

3,000 miles or every 3 months. Whichever comes first. You can push it but the long term effects may not be so pleasant and pricey. Keep up with the car when things need done and the car will treat you right for years to come.

 

[mattri]

This has never made sense to me.

1) How much do you have invested in your vehicles? Daily drivers, commuters etc esp, let alone project cars/trucks or weekend warriors.

2) How much is an oil change? If you do it yourself less that $20. If you go to a shop $25-35.

3) Changing the oil removes metal particles that cause wear on bearrings, seals etc. New oil creates the cushion you need between moving parts. An old filter sends more through the bypass than through the element, see above.

It's your car- it's how you get to work, treansport your famly, have fun on the weekends, whatever. Over the life of your ownership a couple more oil changes than the guy trying to push his luck is money well spent.

 

[D-rock]

People should use the method that I have seen people I know do. They will keep constantly putting oil in while the engine burns the old stuff off or it leaks out. It's sort of an oil change by default.

 

[LukeEl]

See I like to change my oil every 4,200 miles and spoke a hookah filled with kind bud.

 

[theoriemeister]

For those who listen to NPR, Click and Clack say that the 3K oil change is just a ruse to get you to change your oil more often--though your car doesn't need it that often. I have a '97 Ford Escort with about 159K miles on it, and have always changed the oil every 5K (but religiously) and it's still doing great.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

I just got an oil change yesterday. I was 2,000 km and a month over my limit. Car worked fine. It actually might have worked better before.

 

[lurkingdirk]

I know the issue is not the immediate performance, but the long term wear on the car, as changing oil removes damaging bits. But the more research I do on this, the more I think 6,000 or even 10,000 is when the oil needs to be changed. Just look at the oil, if it doesn't look filthy, don't change it.

Oh, and use lighter oil in colder weather. That helps a lot.

 

[power-san]

synthetic oil based cars are nice.. 10-15K no problem.

 

[jod0565]

Jiffy Boob - where you can get an oil change and get implants at the same time!

 

[lurkingdirk]

Jiffy Boob - where you can get an oil change and get implants at the same time!

Actually, there used to be (maybe still is?) a "Boob 'N Lube" in Iowa City. You could go and get your oil changed by topless women. And watch.

I think an oil change was about $50 there 15 years ago.

:rubbel:

 

[D-rock]

Jiffy Boob - where you can get an oil change and get implants at the same time!

I wonder what all the work that goes into their lube jobs involves.

 

[~~whimsy~~]

This has never made sense to me.

1) How much do you have invested in your vehicles? Daily drivers, commuters etc esp, let alone project cars/trucks or weekend warriors.

2) How much is an oil change? If you do it yourself less that $20. If you go to a shop $25-35.

3) Changing the oil removes metal particles that cause wear on bearrings, seals etc. New oil creates the cushion you need between moving parts. An old filter sends more through the bypass than through the element, see above.

It's your car- it's how you get to work, treansport your famly, have fun on the weekends, whatever. Over the life of your ownership a couple more oil changes than the guy trying to push his luck is money well spent.

Perhaps. Around me places do it for $14.99-$19.99 with a free tire rotation and free inspection of main points of the vehicle. Seems places are trying to compete with the DIY folks.