Comments on: Don’t Be Fooled Into Thinking an Oil Change Every 3,000 Miles Is Necessary

By: Save the planet with motor oil

Save the planet with motor oil — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:02:44 +0000

[...] the oil every 7,500 miles, changing the oil every 3,000 miles will only drain your pocket book. Many cars now have an oil change sensor that will notify you when the oil needs to be swapped [...]

By: TheVanMan

TheVanMan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:05:46 +0000

I thought most modern cars and vans now only need an oild change every 20,000 miles or so – mine does in any case.

By: john

john — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:23:14 +0000

yes and i want to save a couple of hundred dollars by not changing the oil ( and in the process blow up my 40,000 audi ) ya right. what a load of crap.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:42:27 +0000

I found the best way to check my oil is to put some between my fingers from the oil stick. If if feels like watery with no oily feeling, it’s time to change your oil. I always change my filter with an oil change. The filter is even more important than the oil.

By: Tony (RamPB331 on DieselTruckResource)

Tony (RamPB331 on DieselTruckResource) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:46:11 +0000

The only way to “know” how long you can run your oil is via oil analysis. The Army uses an oil analysis program (AOAP) to test both the oil for service life, and the engine and other lubricated power train components for potential mechanical breakdown. This is done on a 90 day cycle, and catches problems before they get expensive (i.e. one part failure causes another and so on). We don’t change the oil until the analysis indicates the oil needs changed. That is based on fuel contamination and the ability of the oil to neutralize acids created by the combustion process. That abilty is expressed as Total Base Number (TBN) and most modern engine oils can go well over 3000 (more like over double in normal service). The additive package in the oil is what gives the oil its ability to suspend particles (detergent) and neutralize acids (TBN) When the oil gets too thick (viscosity) and/or incapable of neutralizing acid (low TBN) and suspend particles (detergent capacity is “full”) it’s worn out. Not really before. Regardless, it’s a safe bet, and less trouble if you change per the manual recommendations. That way, you don’t have a Magnusson-Moss case to fight. I would, however, recommend getting an oil analysis done on your oil (about $20) on at least an annual basis, and ESPECIALLY a month or two before the warranty expires, to catch any internal problems before they catch up to you and your warranty. Then, you get to fight with the dealer and manufacturer over who gets to pay to fix something that “technically” isn’t broke. But, you have proof if it does break right after the warranty expires.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:48:12 +0000

I have been driving many different cars since the year of 2000 and I’ve always changed the oil every 7000 miles. Never had any problems with that.

Those who change oil every 3K miles, are suckers that listen to to their mechanics which don’t give a damn thing about you, but try to sell as much as possible.

By: jade

jade — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:23:05 +0000

Well here’s what I can add…

Not changing your oil for 60,000 miles on a leased 2000 Volkswagen Jetta will cost you close to ten thousand when you blow the engine.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

By: dgreen

dgreen — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:22:03 +0000

Unless you’re driving a car you purchased new within the past two or three years, I wouldn’t go longer than 5,000 without changing the oil. But don’t take it to have changed. Changing oil is very easy and cheap. If you drive older cars like many frugal people I feel changing your own oil accomplishes a couple things. First, saves you a couple bucks over taking it to have changed. Second, it will help you bond with your older car. Many people take real pride in how well their older cars run or how many miles they have gotten out of them. Changing your own oil gives you a chance to get the know what you’re car looks like on the bottom side. While you’re there take a look around at the tie rods, hoses, exhaust, tires, etc. I’m not a mechanic by any means but changing my oil has given me the confidence and knowledge to do some other minor repairs and preventative maintenance.

By: Li

Li — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:28:41 +0000

I just want to say to everyone that the mechanics that recommend you to change your oil every 3 months or 3k miles are not ripping you off. Do you even know why oil change is so cheap? Well the reason is that they want you to bring your car in to check for damage parts like: brakes, timing belt, and others parts that needed to be repair. To tell you the truth, they only make 5$ every oil change.They make their money on parts and labor but certainly not oil change. When you bring your car in they look for things that they can make money off also at the same time they checking for your safety. Saying that you can save money by prolonging your oil change is just dense.

By: carl Hammond

carl Hammond — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:46:48 +0000

Just Use AMSOIL