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