The 3,000 Mile Oil Change Myth
The 3,000 Mile Oil Change Myth
Excerpt:
It’s been a misconception for years that engine oil should be changed every 3000 miles, even though most auto manufacturers now recommend oil changes at 5,000, 7,000, or even 10,000 mile intervals under normal driving conditions.
Greatly improved oils, including synthetic oils, coupled with better engines mean longer spans between oil changes without harming an engine. The 3000 mile interval is a carryover from days when engines used single-grade, non-detergent oils.
Comment: Great tip
Huh. One of the most recent cars I owned (an Olds Alero) had the computerized system that would alert when it was time for an oil change. I never paid any attention to it, and would manually reset it when I changed the oil every 3000 miles!
ReplyDeleteI always thought that no matter how long the *oil* lasted, it still got dirty, and the presence of dirt was the biggest reason to change it. I guess I'm still not totally convinced it's not better to change it more often...I'd have to see it from a source other than "Greencar.com." :)
Tobin, I too was wondering the same thing. Although, I think there may be some truth to this. I'm not a chemist so I can't speak from personal, hands on knowledge, but the consensus seems to be that oil today actually is of a higher quality than from years ago. Apparently there are additives and detergents that help the oil last longer and keep its viscosity and protective powers longer. I don't know if it works or not, but I'll even add those oil additives into my engine that you can buy at all gas stations. You know, the ones that claim that they give your oil even more detergents and other ingredients that give it a longer useable life.
ReplyDeleteI used to be on another site (am not on there anymore) and I would try to bring up the topic of gas prices and the economy once in awhile. I used to wonder what it would be like if gas got ridiculously expensive and it really started to wreak havoc on the economy. Usually there would be very little response and my posts were often completely written off as a joke like "Yea, I'll have to go to Krispy Creme only 4 times a week instead of 5" or something like that. I actually hope the jokers are right! I sure don't want an economic hardship in this country! But I'm beginning to wonder if people will start to be a little more serious and not view the economy as a joke. Today GM was at it's lowest point in about 53 years! I don't consider that humorous. On the news this evening there was talk of gas of $7.00 within a couple of years. That is no laughing matter, to me at least.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if we're in the "end times" or not. The current trend in Christian philosophy is to write off people who believe in prophecy as fringe wackos who are to be tolerated as the country cousins we're embarrassed to say we related to. By the way, I'm not claiming that we are in the "end times," but on the other hand, I wouldn't write off prophecy as a joke only believed by a few misguided "dispies", either. Whether you believe in Biblical prophecy or not doesn't really matter; it's going to possibly be tough (although I hope not) no matter what you believe.
Better source than Greencar.com for your Olds; General Motors, in its operator's manuals for both of my vehicles, notes that longer oil change intervals are allowable if you're not working the engine hard in a dusty environment, more or less.
ReplyDeleteTwo enemies for your engine; acid and dust. Dust damage will correspond well to environment and engine use hours, of course. Acid damage corresponds well to the time between oil changes, as well as to use patterns.
Changing it more often will simply keep the concentrations of acid and dust down and very slightly reduce engine wear (vs. say 5000 mile or more oil changes). At $30 or so per oil change, not a terribly bad insurance policy for your vehicle--my family does it.