How often do you guys change your oil? Sometimes I only drive 1000 miles or so in 3 months...is there any reason to change my oil every 3 months as opposed to every 3 K miles?

 

It is suggested to follow your owner's manual's recommendations.

There are very few reasons to perpetuate the 3K/3-month oil change interval.

Steve

 

YOU SILLY MORON, YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR OIL TO PREVENT ENGINE DAMAGE. IF YOU TRASH YOUR ENGINE BECAUSE YOU ARE TO LAZY TO CHANGE YOUR OIL, THEN NEVER COME TO THIS FORUM AND COMPLAIN THAT YOUR ENGINE BURNS OIL, AND DOSENT RUN RIGHT!!!

 

Settle down there rusty. Oil is good for 6 months. Synthetic is good for a year. So if you drive less than 3K miles in a year with synthetic, change it after 12 months. I have done this for years with my non-daily drivers. The oil companies love you guys that change your oil every 3 months/3,000miles or less. In Europe, people change their oil every 7-10K miles, with their engines getting 200K miles +.

 

Wow rusty, 9 posts and you're kicking people out of the forum. You don't get what this site is about.

Spitfire, I agree with Frank. Also I believe there are scientific ways to monitor the quality of your oil. I believe the diesel guys may have some insight for you. You may want to post there and get their opinion.

 

Spitfire, the most important thing would be does the truck get driven enough every other week to heat the oil up to remove moisture and condition seals and such. I have read this is about 15 miles or so. I have been using Mobile 1 for more years than some or old on this forum using a once a year change. For me that is 8k on my 2000 F150 and 8k on my Subaru Brat w/ 192k. Used 10k changes on a Legacy that we still own w/ 178k now and a 89 Mustang that we sold to a guy at work that is at 138k last time I saw it. Hope this answer your question somewhat.