Stop Changing Your Oil

[mikepdx]

Oil chemistry and engine technology have evolved tremendously in recent
years, but you'd never know it from the quick-change behavior of American
car owners. Driven by an outdated 3,000-mile oil change commandment,
they are unnecessarily spending millions of dollars and spilling an ocean of
contaminated waste oil.

Stop Changing Your Oil! - Edmunds.com

[XTS3000]

Agreed! Look at your cars owners manual and see what the manufacture recommends. My car's owners manual states the oil type recommended and states to change it every 7,000 miles with regular driving.

[CrabbyMilton]

Ah geez I hope we don't have someone who hates oil companies here since those are often the talking points. But there's no reason to differ without acting like little brats. I'm just more comfortable with having fresh clean oil in my engine. I use 100% synthetic so I have it changed every 5000 miles. My car('04 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS) has 103k and it runs as smooth as can be just like it did when brand new. Some people are bad enough with oil changes and with such long periods between, they'll forgot and their engine will turn to oatmeal. Then they'll blubber about how their nice car isn't so nice after less than about 5 years.

[ff-medic]

2006 Ford Explorer.

Oil changed every 3,000 - 5,000 miles, tires rotated every other oil change. I wax it in the spring and in the fall. I clean the inside it the best I can in the spring.

Oil changes are almost the life of a vehicle. Oil reccommendations this and that, but you don't want alot of dirt, buildup and grime in your engine either, especially in the summer. Oil breaks down also. Why gamble with a vehicle motor, change engine oil frequently.This summer, I am due to have the radiator flushed, and the air and fuel filters changed.

FF-Medic !!!

[lazierfan]

Find someone in your area that re-refines the oil. Use that in your car for the complete cycle of oil use. Oil 'breakdown' threat is nothing compared to oil contaminants. Antifreeze, gasket material, metal, gasoline, water, are always possible items found in crankcase oil. Leaving those intermixed with the oil for 7500-10,000 miles is asking for trouble.
Also, in colder climates, there are industrial commercial and county entities that allow oil to be dropped off for bus barn and service bay heaters.

[searingxheretic]

The only one that knows how often to change your oil, is you. Check your dipstick (no puns), determine your viscosity, color, and particles, and get an oil change if needed. Frequency of oil changes depends on so many factors: engine age, highway vs. City, lead foot vs. Sunday driver, you name it. I drive 400 miles/ work week plus casual miles and change my oil about every 4k miles. Based on the condition of my oil I don't get much more mileage than that.

Sent from my cm_tenderloin

[wx5uif]

My 2011 Silverado goes about 10,500 miles between 100 and 0 percent on the oil life monitor. I have trusted my 2004 silverado with the OLM and it has lasted 318,000+ (usually about 8500 between changes on it) so I don't see any reason to not trust it on my 2011. GM spent tons of money developing the algorithms for the monitor I also use a little better oil than the required Dextos oil.

[MisterK33]

I use a full synthetic in both my truck and wife's car; whatever brand is on sale. Sometimes AutoZone will have a good special where you can get 5 qts of full synthetic and a filter for ~$35. I used to only use Mobil 1, but now just get what's on sale, and change it ~every 5k.

[moonbounce]

Engine oil sludge from what I have been reading is caused by a lack of frequently scheduled oil changes. It seems that the owners manual on some vehicles does say to change the oil every 7000 to 8000 miles, but that, from what I have read is pure fallacy.

As for synthetic oil, how often do you change your oil, remember your oil filter is still collecting particles of metal and other liquids like water and antifreeze so it gets plugged up. If you are not changing your oil for longer periods because you use synthetic oil what about your filter.

I will stick to the 3000 mile oil change, it is worth it to me.