You have probably heard that you need to change your motor oil every 3,000 miles. In fact, your mechanic has probably told you so, and it may even say so in your car owner's manual (depending upon your vehicle's age), but do you really need to change your oil that often? Over the last decade or so, many people have begun to wonder if this recommendation is nothing more than certain industries trying to bilk you out of more money. So, let's explore the question a bit.
There is no doubt that changing your oil regularly is important to the continued maintenance of your vehicle. However, with the today's automotive and motor oil technology, there may no longer be a need to change it as often as in the past.
One of the main reasons that it was originally recommended to change your oil so frequently was because of the dirt and grime that your engine oil accumulated. Once "gunk" starts to build up in the oil, it makes it less effective as a lubricant, as well as reducing its ability to move throughout the engine with ease. However, the combination of greater automotive engine efficiency and cleaner running and more robust oils has lead to the possibility of steadily increasing oil drain intervals (even if many oil companies and quick lubes don't wish to acknowledge that fact).
"The Motor Oil Bible" offers a MUCH more thorough discussion of this question, giving you a much more informed position from which to evaluate your own situation and the oil drain intervals you SHOULD be using or might LIKE to use, if you chose a better oil and/or filter.
If you are still using the guideline of changing your oil every 3,000 miles, you may want to reconsider that strategy. Under OPTIMAL conditions, newer vehicles could possibly travel up to 10,000 miles without an oil change, even without a premium oil. Technology has brought us a long way, and by taking advantage of it, you can save money and time on your oil changes.
The Motor Oil Guy
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