| When was the last time the manufacturer | | | | question; how often do you really need |
| of your car went out of their way to | | | | to change your oil? While it depends on |
| tell you to change your oil every 3,000 | | | | the year, make, and model of your |
| miles? | | | | vehicle, it's clear that for today's |
| Isn't it funny that in fact, automotive | | | | vehicles it's not every 3,000 miles. 20 |
| manufacturers have not agreed with this | | | | years ago this was true of many |
| "opinion" for more than 20 years. | | | | vehicles. However, this is virtually |
| So WHO created the "change your oil | | | | obsolete as most vehicle have 5,000, |
| every 3,000 miles" rule anyway? And why, | | | | 7500, 10,000, and even 15,000 mile oil |
| have we as consenting adults, with | | | | service intervals. |
| brains and knowledge of our own, bought | | | | So just what is motivating the auto |
| into it for so many years? | | | | industry to push 3,000 mile oil changes? |
| Let's take a look at the "reasons" we've | | | | Let's look at it in real life. If you |
| all heard, time and time again about why | | | | change your oil every 3,000 miles, and |
| we SHOULD change our oil every 3,000 | | | | like most, you average 15,000 miles per |
| miles. | | | | year, then you'll be in the repair shop |
| We're told: | | | | 5 times in only 12 months. Do you really |
| 1) Oil breaks down after 3000 miles | | | | need to perform maintenance on your car |
| 2) Oil changes are great preventative | | | | 5 times per year? Seems excessive |
| maintenance | | | | doesn't it? |
| 3) 3,000 miles is an easy number for the | | | | The average oil change price is $30.00. |
| car repair customer to remember | | | | $30.00 X 5 = $150.00. If you changed |
| 4) The 3,000 mile interval is | | | | your oil every 5,000 miles, you'd only |
| traditionally viewed as best by | | | | need 3 oil changes per year = $90. |
| mechanics | | | | That's a $60 savings. And not to mention |
| 5) It's necessary due to the elements, | | | | all the "extra's" you are pressured to |
| driving patterns, and weather | | | | buy into while getting your oil changed. |
| conditions. | | | | See below for more on these. |
| But when we really look at the people, | | | | For the most part oil changes are cheap, |
| or entities that are URGING us to change | | | | as it's a very competitive market. |
| our oil every 3,000 miles, we realize, | | | | They're also not very profitable for |
| they are the same people and companies | | | | repair shops. However, the more times |
| that profit the most from us following | | | | your vehicle is in the shop, the more |
| their lead. | | | | chances that shop has to sell you |
| This is not to say that oil changes | | | | something else - an alignment, tires, |
| aren't important - they are. They're | | | | wiper blades, brakes, shocks, fuel |
| just not as frequently needed as we're | | | | cleaning services, transmission |
| made to believe. | | | | services...etc - these are money-makers. |
| Here are 5 FACTS about the 3,000 mile | | | | This is not to say that these services |
| oil change myth. | | | | aren't needed, but they should be |
| 1) Quality motor oil recommended by your | | | | performed according to manufacturer |
| vehicle's manufacturer does not break | | | | guidelines only and performed by only a |
| down after 3,000 miles | | | | certified repair company. |
| 2) Yes, changing your oil is great | | | | A detailed manufacturer's maintenance |
| preventative maintenance, but it should | | | | schedule (this is separate from your |
| be done in accordance with the | | | | manual) is the best and most accurate |
| manufacturer service intervals | | | | guide. You may stumble across one in all |
| 3) The easy-to-remember 3,000-mile | | | | the unnecessary paperwork you find in |
| interval actually creates more confusion | | | | your glove box, but ask your repair shop |
| as to the real maintenance needs of your | | | | or dealer for a detailed print out of |
| vehicle. Thus, it is easier to follow | | | | your entire maintenance schedule. If the |
| factory guidelines, more economical, and | | | | service center can't produce one quickly |
| more appropriate. | | | | - you're in the wrong place for your |
| 4) The traditional view that 3,000 miles | | | | car's needs. |
| is best for your car is old school, | | | | Finally, have a little fun: the next |
| wasteful, and fails to appreciate | | | | time your local mechanic tells you to |
| today's mechanical and oil technologies | | | | change your oil every 3,000 miles, ask |
| 5) Unless you're in a constant | | | | him what the manufacturer recommends. |
| high-speed police change in the dead of | | | | It's fun to watch him stumble through |
| winter - your oil will be just fine | | | | the answer or tell you, straight-faced, |
| So with all of that said, it begs the | | | | the wrong answer. |