Comments on: The 3,000 Mile Oil Change Myth – Save Your Money

By: Chet

Chet — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:03:25 +0000

Great article! Everyone who owns a vehicle should be required to read it (along with the accompanying report conducted by the taxi company). It would certainly save millions per year when you add up how many people fall for the oil companies’ “3000 mile” marketing gimmick.

Oh and as the article said, using synthetic is not only more expensive, the taxi study proved that synthetics are no better at protection than standard oil. So much for another marketing gimmick shot down (but don’t tell Chris above, he’s so proud of his Amsoil at about 3x the cost of standard oil, wouldn’t want to break his little heart).

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:36:03 +0000

In Ref to Rob’s comment on Amsoil as a lesser oil to Mobil one.
FYI……………………………….
” AMSOIL synthetic motor oil is a pure synthetic motor oil that falls into the Group IV classification. AMSOIL synthetic motor oil uses a polyalphaolefins base …”
Quote:
“not “royal purple” or other junk Mobil 1, Amsoil, or Castrol Syntec.”
I guess” his ” version of “Mobil 1″ is a well hidden secret or something.?
I use Amsoil 24 k 5w-30 in my trucks and cars. The olds has 150k and is like new.The Amsoil Tranny fluid is gold. The solenoid, and all other front wheel drive components love it! Smooth!

By: Counterman

Counterman — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:18:43 +0000

I worked in the automotive aftermarket for some years, and I have also worked as technical writer focusing on the automotive aftermarket. The 3,000 mile standard is an old one put in place when oils did not have the additives they have today. That standard was also put in place because old, nonsealed ball joints, U-joints and other drive and chasis parts needed to be lubricated on that schedule. Now, those are sealed in most applications. As for driving, most people, whether they realize it or not, do not drive “easy” miles and are closer to the “extreme” conditions listed in service manuals. Heat and moisture from combustion will break down an oil. When oil is not changed, sludge forms. If you change the oil AND filter on a regular basis sludge should not be an issue. There is no sense in changing oil and not changing the filter, and there is no sense in changing the filter and not changing the oil. Do both together. And when you change your oil, check the air filter and PCV valve. Sludge can have more to do with bad PCV valves than it can anything else. If the air filter and PCV valve need replaced do so. Also, check the oil once a week. More engine damage is done by low oil levels than has ever been done by “old” oil. As for synthetics. I have no recommendations. Use what you like that is of quality and meets your car’s requirements (read the owner’s manual) As for the oil you turn in, it is not filtered and turned back into motor oil. It becomes heating oil, asphalt, packing grease, burned in power plants, etc.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:11:08 +0000

Alot of great information, and after reading about this all of the internet I would agree, every 3,000 miles is way too much.

I read about another test a while back, similar to these were they took two identical new cars and changed the oil (using synthetic). Then they changed the other after 12,000 miles and did a comparison on the engine where and noticed no difference!

So if you can, I highly recommend you to USE SYNTHETIC! With doing alot of work on my car I have personally seen the horrible things that regular oil does (like build up and gunk everywhere in the engine). Also, change your oil, but wait till atleast 5,000 miles or a half a year before you do, because its overkill if you change it any more than that.

By: Name

Name — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:03:05 +0000

All I know is what I see with my own eyes.
I have one truck that has had the oil changed only when it’s in the shop for some other reason. (In for brakes, might as well change the oil) 450,000 miles and still running strong. I put 5 – 9,000 lbs on it and run 230 miles EVERY DAY.

I have a Chevy Express 3500. New oil only when it’s in the shop for brakes or some other breakdown. It carries 3 – 5,000 lbs for 130 miles, 5 days per week. 380,000 miles and still running strong.

I have a Dodge Ram Cargo Van. Same as above, except this one only runs about 80 miles per day with less than 1,000 lbs. 211,000 and running strong.

My personal car, of course, doesn’t get the payload or the mileage of the others, but on the same oil change schedule. 150,000 miles, no problem.

None of my vehicles burn oil. The truck has a minor leak which requires a quart to be added about every 3,000 miles.

And these are just the ones I CURRENTLY own. I won’t even talk about the many others I’ve had over the past 25 years.

It’s always been my belief (just from my own experience and deductive reasoning. I claim no supporting science) that frequent oil changes
1) have always been a steady stream of business for the oil and maint. industries
2) produce more waste that must be dealt with (bad for the environment)
3) stir up sludge that has settled to the bottom of the oil pan so that it can get in your engine and really begin to cause problems
4) The technology has existed for years to intall better filtering systems which will recycle your oil while it is still in the engine. With the advanced filter at a high point in the system, it could be changed without having to lose a quart or more, leaving the oil itself in the engine, never to be drained.
5) WE ARE SHEEP doing as we are told and not questioning our betters.

By: Wayne Englehutt

Wayne Englehutt — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:25:56 +0000

I drive a 1998 Z-3 Roadster and I have been constantly told that I have to change my
oil at every 5000km or 3000miles I use synthetic oil with a BMW original oil filter
so can I change my oil at 5000miles or is it better 3000miles

By: Dar

Dar — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:13:02 +0000

I have a 2000 Chevrolet Van express that has just been parked for a year without any start up (battery eventually died). The van has been stored and not driven because I did not need to use it and so its just parked. I would like to use it soon and what should I do as far as the oil is concern. My thoughts is to get an oil change but would have to drive an hour to get to a service station (I live in a rural area). Please give me your recommendations.

By: Raymond

Raymond — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:13:16 +0000

Well I guess if you have the money and can afford frequent oil changes once a month, go for it as it’ll probably keep your engine nice and super clean, but for everyone else it makes more financial sense to follow the car maintenance schedules provided by your auto manufacturer. All else is marketing hype by the oil change industry in my opinion.

By: Carel W. Fisher

Carel W. Fisher — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:03:59 +0000

I am an automotive professional from Master Mechanic to Fleet Administrator I have always changed oil in fleet (Non-Diesel) vehicles at 6000 or more miles. and never used additives.

I traded my last Pickup at 148,000 miles, still going strong. I traded for the new designed model with more bells and whistles.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:20:57 +0000

Jay is right about oil constamination in some respect, but doesn’t know how little those things effect an engine in the long term (I am talking about a sound engine of course). This is why I do my own work on my vehicle. The color of your motor oil has NOTHING to do with its ability to continue lubrication. I am willing to put my money on “jays the shit” also being Jay. I have a 1986 Toyota 4×4, I run mobil 1 synthetic, and now mobil 1 extended performance synthetic (its a group 4, as mobil 1 full synthetic was before Extended Performance came along. I change my oil once a year, winds up being around 12,000-14,000 miles on a single oil change. The truck has 419,000 miles on it. I have an 06 Dodge dakota, I have been doing once a year changes, about 12,000 miles per change, No issues. If your really interested in this sort of thing, join a forum like BITOG that has thousands of people who have paid for oil analysis to proove motor oils are good into the 15,000+ mile range, even in the most “Severe” of driving habits. I have no run across an engine that was mechanically sound that could not handle running a good synthetic for 10,000+ miles. I am talking about POA synthetics, not “royal purple” or other junk. Mobil 1, Amsoil, or Castrol Syntec.

Stop wasting your money. Take it from a guy who has been using synthetics since the 80’s, along with my whole family. We change the oil once a year. I spend $50 a year on my pickup in oil. A standard oil filter is fine for the entire duration. Again go to the BITOG forum to learn more.

By: jays the sh!t

jays the sh!t — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:27:17 +0000

jay your the sh!t you tell those cheap bastards!!!!!!!! wooooo

By: jay

jay — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:28:05 +0000

I read every statement on this site. I work at an oil change/maintenance shop. I see good points and some rather ridiculous suggestions. I have worked as a mechanic long enough to know that it is in fact cheaper to properly maintain a vehicle than to just let something break and replace it. new fluid is by far much better than used fluid. hence the reason GM nor FORD nor honda will ever take the old oil out of A. munez’s cadillac and put in a new camaro or mustang motor. Further more, oil doesnt break down. it is the additives and detergents mixed with the oil that breaks down. If the oil is better the additves can last longer due to the oil not being affected as much by the temperature and such. hence synthetic oils. all oils have shelf lives when poured into a vehicle due to exposure to condensation/moisture. change your oil. change your transmission fluid. change any fluid you have. and another thing is there are additives in all oil to help control swelling and shrinkage of your gaskets and seals. once those additives break down your oil offers no protection for them causing oil leaks. for this reason oil companies have made a killing off from stop leaks and sealants and other bottled additives you can purchase to pour into your engine oil. As far as the intervals of changing your fluids. keeping things cleaner is much better. change it all regularly. The filter is there to keep fluids clean. If the fluid looks dirty chances are the filter can’t filter anymore and ya need to change ur sh!t you cheap as$ basturds

By: T.A.S

T.A.S — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:47:44 +0000

A. munez … I hope you never touch one of my vehicles…. You never change your oil? I use Mobile 1 syn and change it every 5000 miles on my Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2L with hard driving. I have a rear oil seal that does not leak until the oil thins down about after 5000 miles which shows me oil does change after time. I have 256,430 miles on my Jeep and does not burn oil… high compression. I have always used Mobil 1 Syn and changed oil @ 5000 miles and will continue to do so on all my vehicles. Oil changes are too cheap compared to rebuilding an engine.

By: A. munez

A. munez — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:20:21 +0000

when i went to mechanics school, we were told that oil does not break down.
yes it does get dirty.
if as they now claim, oil does break down. why do they filter it and sell it back to the consumer? are they selling broken down oil.
also how does oil break down on an engine that hasn’t been run for 3 months
” the change oil every 3000 miles or 3 months whichever comes first.
by the way i have owned 2 cadillacs and i never change the oil
one had 230000 miles my other one now has 138000 miles.
art

By: Fishtail

Fishtail — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:16:51 +0000

Years ago I asked a Chicago taxi fleet owner how he addressed the oil change issue. He told me “All we do is change the oil filter every 10K miles and add new oil along the way as needed. We never drain it.” Who knows, this may not be smart with todays engines.