I think the recommendation about oil changes contained in this popular website is bad....very bad.

http://aolsvc.aol.consumerreports.or.../crauto23.html

 

Well I think they are right on the money ...
here is what they had to say ....



Myth: Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles.
Reality: Although oil companies and quick-lube shops like to promote this idea, it's usually not necessary. Go by the recommended oil-change schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Most vehicles driven under normal conditions can go 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Some models now come with a monitoring system that alerts the driver when the oil needs changing. Depending on driving conditions, these can extend change intervals to 10,000 or 15,000

 

i will be changing my oil every 3k no matter what anyone says. if i am doing it too often...then so be it.

 

And the oil companies thank you ..its your $$$$

 

Using the average 100,000 miles.

7,500 miles = 13 changes
5,000 miles = 20 changes
3,000 miles = 30 changes

If oil is $1.25 a qt and you need 6 per change that's $7.50 a change. SO...

13 changes = $97.50
20 changes = $150.00
30 changes = $225.00

It will cost you an extra $127.50 over the 100,000 miles to change your oil at 3,000 mile intervals. Of course this doesn't include the cost of filters.

$127.50...... Heck, I've spent more than that at topless bars in just a few hours...

 

Not to metion the great majority of people no longer do there own oil changes. Those extra 17 oil changes would come closer to costing the average person around $400 to $500, which in all honesty still isn't a massive amount of money considering it's over 100,000 miles. The question is - is it necessary? For the average person in normal conditions, I personally think changing your oil before 5,000 miles is a waste of time, but I've been on this site long enough to know to not get started on this one!

 

The expense of excessive oil changes is minor compared to the disposal problem of all that oil. Don't forget that not everyone is environmentally responsible with how they dispose of their oil. Disposal is the big issue.

 

Let's see for 100,000 miles hmm…

$15.00 for oil change with filter.

3,000 miles = 33 changes @ $495.00 per 100,000 miles.


Gasoline for a year.

$25.00 for full tank of gas.

Fill up once a week is 52 * $25.00 = $1300.00 per year.


Insurance for a year

Don't even want to think about it.


Nudie bar gotta think about that one, hmm…

$100.00 a month is $1200.00 per year.

When put in to perspective $495.00 will spread over multiple years so it really isn't that much.

 

i just figure that peace of mind is worth the few extra hundred dollars. when you think about it:

100,000 miles->10,000 miles a year->10 years
figure $500 for extra oil changes-> $500/10 years = $50 per year.

$50 per year is definitly worth it JMO. i would rather change every 3K and be on the safe side than try to make my oil last as long as physically possible.

BEC308-you do what you like. you will probably be fine. but i am just going by the saying "better safe than sorry"

 

who cares how long you CAN go? if i pay $25,000 dollars for my truck, i want the thing to last. a few xtra oil changes is worth making your truck last for longer. just my two cents

 

i agree 100%. sure, my truck wont die if i change the oil every 5k instead of 3k, but why take the risk? its maintenance, i could take a shower every other day, but i choose to take one every day.

 

I originated this subject by providing that link. I will say this. When I change my oil at the 2500-3000 interval which I have always done, the oil that comes out is solid dark black. Now that may be able to be explained as being normal and allright for the oil to look dark black and dirty, but for me and my investment I will continue my $13 oil changes every 2500-300 miles.

 

There's more to oil changes than your costs.

It affects the environment.
It depletes the earth's resources.

by changing your oil @ the 5000 mile schedule (vs 3000 mile) you're reducing your personal oil usages (approximately) by 1/3 (33.33333_%)

Multiply that by the number of "daily driver" cars across the country and the numbers don't seem so insignificant as people may presume them to be.

 

Corpsie, I dispose of my oil in an environmentally sound fashion. I also work for an Oil company. I also believe that 90 % of the pollution in this country is made by other things besides automotive exhaust and peoples personal discardment of their vehicles oil.

 

I change at every 3,000 using fully synthetic, I always take my oil back to an oil recycling place. I also agree that there are a lot more things that cause pollution.