Drive farther between oil changes.
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From: The Netherlands
Drive farther between oil changes.
Ford is latest to say: Drive farther between oil changes
Modern engine lubricants extend 3,000-mile axiom
Tom Krisher / Associated Press
DETROIT -- Most major automakers agree: The adage that you should change your car's oil every 3,000 miles is outdated, and even 5,000 miles may be too often.
Ford Motor Co. became the latest manufacturer to extend its oil life guidelines, making public that it is raising the recommended oil change interval from 5,000 miles to 7,500 on its newly redesigned 2007 models and all subsequent redesigned or new models.
The company, like many other manufacturers, said Tuesday that higher oil quality standards and new engine designs were responsible for the change, which affects vehicles driven under normal conditions.
"The oils have advanced a lot since the days when 3,000 miles were the typical oil drains," said Dennis Bachelder, senior engineer for the American Petroleum Institute, an industry organization that sets quality standards. "They're certainly more robust than the oils of 10, 15 years ago."
These days, motor oils start with a higher-quality base oil than in the past, and they have more antioxidants that make lubricating properties last longer and other additives that keep deposits from forming on engines, he said.
Pete Misangyi, Ford's supervisor of fuel lubricants, said the company conducted numerous fleet and laboratory tests with newer oils before it raised the interval.
"That allows more comfort, if you will, in extending the intervals using the new oils," he said.
Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have stopped making recommendations on all or most of their models, instead relying on sensors that measure oil temperature extremes and engine revolutions over time to calculate oil life and tell drivers when to get the lubricant changed. Oil can lose its lubricating properties if it runs at too low or too high of a temperature.
Peter Lord, executive director of GM's service operations, said oil can last 12,000 miles or even more for many drivers who don't run their vehicles in extreme heat or cold or tow heavy loads.
"It really does depend on the individual customer and how they've used the vehicle," he said.
Modern engine lubricants extend 3,000-mile axiom
Tom Krisher / Associated Press
DETROIT -- Most major automakers agree: The adage that you should change your car's oil every 3,000 miles is outdated, and even 5,000 miles may be too often.
Ford Motor Co. became the latest manufacturer to extend its oil life guidelines, making public that it is raising the recommended oil change interval from 5,000 miles to 7,500 on its newly redesigned 2007 models and all subsequent redesigned or new models.
The company, like many other manufacturers, said Tuesday that higher oil quality standards and new engine designs were responsible for the change, which affects vehicles driven under normal conditions.
"The oils have advanced a lot since the days when 3,000 miles were the typical oil drains," said Dennis Bachelder, senior engineer for the American Petroleum Institute, an industry organization that sets quality standards. "They're certainly more robust than the oils of 10, 15 years ago."
These days, motor oils start with a higher-quality base oil than in the past, and they have more antioxidants that make lubricating properties last longer and other additives that keep deposits from forming on engines, he said.
Pete Misangyi, Ford's supervisor of fuel lubricants, said the company conducted numerous fleet and laboratory tests with newer oils before it raised the interval.
"That allows more comfort, if you will, in extending the intervals using the new oils," he said.
Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have stopped making recommendations on all or most of their models, instead relying on sensors that measure oil temperature extremes and engine revolutions over time to calculate oil life and tell drivers when to get the lubricant changed. Oil can lose its lubricating properties if it runs at too low or too high of a temperature.
Peter Lord, executive director of GM's service operations, said oil can last 12,000 miles or even more for many drivers who don't run their vehicles in extreme heat or cold or tow heavy loads.
"It really does depend on the individual customer and how they've used the vehicle," he said.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...703220325/1148
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From: Dallas
what's the news on pre-2007, pre-announcement engines?
are we grandfathered into the 5K recommended interval and 3K severe service recommended interval while under warranty? or do we have permission to use extended intervals too?
are we grandfathered into the 5K recommended interval and 3K severe service recommended interval while under warranty? or do we have permission to use extended intervals too?
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Brant Lake, N.Y
If they are going to increase the interval between oil changes they better come out with a rust proof filter. I have seen people who dont drive much go 6 months or so and have the filter fail before they ever hit 3000 miles, one guy lost his motor due to it and it was not covered under warranty since it was longer than 3 months between oil changes. Most filters are only guaranteed for 3 months so I think this new interval will only help those of us who drive 2000 miles a month or more.
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From: North Little Rock, Arkansas
I've been using the 5,000 mile mark since I got my truck. Still running strong and when I look at the oil coming out of my engine....it doesn't look all that bad. I can see where you could easily go 7,500 and not blink twice if you use a good oil filter and make sure you check your oil level regularly.
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From: Cape Cod, Ma
Maybe its just me but I will never use the same oil and filter for 7k+ I use Royal Purple and K&N filter and I'll still change at 3K I think good oil and filter is cheap insurance for what we all pay for our trucks.
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From: WY
Originally Posted by stylinf150
If they are going to increase the interval between oil changes they better come out with a rust proof filter. I have seen people who dont drive much go 6 months or so and have the filter fail before they ever hit 3000 miles, one guy lost his motor due to it and it was not covered under warranty since it was longer than 3 months between oil changes. Most filters are only guaranteed for 3 months so I think this new interval will only help those of us who drive 2000 miles a month or more.
Huh? 3 months? I go perhaps 3-4 years (4000-5000miles) between oil changes on my Jeeps. I've been on the 5000 mile oil change interval for 10 years on my daily drivers. Usually go 9-12 months between oil changes. Never had a filter rust out, fail or anything else. Never had any engine problems either.
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From: Pittsburgh
This whole 5,000 mile thing kind of makes me mad in a way. I'd feel better changing my oil every 3,000 miles in all honesty, but my dealership gave me free oil changes, every 5,000 miles for life. I mean as long as they're sticking by their 36/36,000 and the 5 year, 60,000 powertrain warranty, then I suppose I'll just change the oil every 5k or 5 months. But I have always changed my oil every 3,000 miles. I've used mobil one too in every vehicle I've ever had...although I've never had the free oil changes for life thing either though.
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From: Texas in the heart
My company did a test a few years back on some of our fleet vehicles. Had the oil tested at 5000 miles for a 1 year test. The oil was fine after 5000 miles.
So now we go 5000 miles between oil changes.
The Valvoline shop that I get my oil changes said that most of their commercial customers have gone to 5000 mile intervals.
I run syn in my 3 vehicles and change the oil at 5000. No problems.
So now we go 5000 miles between oil changes.
The Valvoline shop that I get my oil changes said that most of their commercial customers have gone to 5000 mile intervals.
I run syn in my 3 vehicles and change the oil at 5000. No problems.
