Is the 3,000 mile oil change just a marketing scheme, or real?

Question

Even at 5,000-7,000 miles between my oil changes, my oil is still very clean, not black or dirty at all. I usually change it about every 6,000 miles, I dont think there is a need for every 3,000. Why does everyone say 3,000 miles!!!????? Isnt the whole point of an oil change to get rid of DIRTY oil?

Answer 1

It's not a marketing scheme, and any mechanic will tell you that they are not making enough on an oil change to try to con you back in before you really need an oil change. We (my dad's garage) get $8 for changing your oil plus the cost of filter and oil. All oils are different, synthetics are better and Amsoil dealers will tell you something like 30000 miles between changes. It depends a lot on the quality of oil that you put in your car to start with on how often it should be changed.

Answer 2

Depending on the climate and driving conditions that the car is subject to, is what's gonna make the difference.Back in the late 60's and early 70's the manufactures suggested 5000 to 7500 miles between oil changes.. Oil has been so superbly manufactured over the past decade, makes me wonder what the oil companies are up to.... So I'm sticking to the old rule of thumb and change my oil every 5000 miles.. been doing this since 1975 and have never lost an engine due to old oil...

This next part is from my shop techician....

Well...oil useage is still a bit controversial. Some people do it religiously at 3K miles...others at 6K miles. It mostly depends on the oil you use. An SAE (non-synthetic) blend won't hold up as well as a synthetic. Then again synthetics cost more...but they last longer and protect better. I only use Mobil 1 10W30 in my Mustang and 10W40 in my truck. I could probably get 4000-5000 miles between changes, but I do it out of habit every 3000 miles. Long story short...using good oil, you would be safe with more mileage. Using generic stuff I'd change it at 3000 regularly...but it's a personal call.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The necessity of 3,000 mile oil changes is a myth that has been handed down for decades. Check the viscosity of your oil as well as the smell. Check to see if synthetic oils work in your car as well. Don't put additives into your oil. The FTC says those companies do a lot of deceptive advertising.

More important than changing oil is changing your air-filter. Use an oil / foam air filter. Dirt in the air going into the engine is a major cause of the wear on the engine. If you live in a dusty climate, change or clean your air filter as frequently as needed. If you had a dust storm, change or clean the air filter.

For new cars, consider using a bypass oil filter. It has two parts that work at the same time. One part cleans the oil as usual, but the other is cleaning the oil to much higher tolerances. In that way, the micro particles that an ordinary filter will pass are filtered out by the second system.

Unless your car is leaking oil, use a quality oil or synthetic. Don't dump your oil irresponsibly. Careless oil dumping is a major cause of pollution. As they say 'You dump it, you drink it!'

;-D Give a hoot, don't pollute.

Answer 4

Here's the real deal. All oils have different lubricating chemicals that are added to the plain oil. That's why there are so many different brands. The chemicals in the oils start breaking down after heat is applied to them. The chemical protect the oil from burning. Imaginge cooking oil that is kept a a hot temp for a long time starts to burn. The chemicals help stop this. The rule of thumb is to change it at 3000 miles, but with the new oils out there claiming 5000 to 7500 miles, it will be safe to go with them. Just because the oil looks clean, doesn't mean that it is effectively protecting your engine.

Answer 5

The color of the oil isn't always a good indicator of whether or not the oil needs to be changed. Oil will usually darken quickly but still lubricate effectively. Over time, through temperature changes and build-up, the oil loses it's ability to lubricate. How quickly this happens is dependent on the driving conditions. Short trips are harder on the oil than longer ones because the oil needs time at the full operating temperature to burn off condensation etc in the oil.
Usually a car's owners manual will give a recommended oil change interval for regular conditions and harsh conditions. Often this will be over 3000 miles. My Acura RSX recommends 5000 miles in harsh conditions and 10,000 in regular conditions. The best idea is to follow your manual.

Answer 6

YES YES YES, I am a ASE Certified Master Tech for 28 years and total believe it is a scam
I however ONLY use Synthetic Engine Oils.
My 1991 Suburban Uses Mobil 1 5w30 I change it every ten thousand miles, It has 225000 miles on the original engine and I am the original owner and it doesn't burn a drop of oil or leak it.
My 2001 Mercedes Benz gets Amsoil European Formula 05w40 oil and it is changed every ten thousand miles and has 80000 miles on it.
I even use Mobil 1 synthetic oil in my lawn Mower.
My Motorcycles All run Amsoil Motorcycle synthetic oils.

I have this argument at work all the time. Changing your oil every 3000 miles is a scam and a WASTE OF A PRECIOUS RESOURCE.
Stick to your owners manual and change it at there schedule.
Most manufactures recommend 5000 to 7500 miles when you use regular type oils.
My Mercedes requires Synthetic and requires it @ 10000 mile intervals. Amsoil or Mobil 1 can run 15000 to 25000 miles between oil changes AS LONG AS YOU USE A LONG LIFE FILTER. and not a cheap brand filter like Fram or Protec. Use a Mann filter for german cars and WIX or K&N or Amsoil for Domestic vehicles and Japanese imports.

BUT If you use a cheap oil and a cheap oil filter like most quick lube shops, then yes cheange it often because they are usually selling you an inferior oil filter and low grade oils. Not all quick lube shops use low grade oils but most all use the cheapest paper filters on the market and thats a bad thing.

Answer 7

For the most part....you're correct. Newer engines today can run 5,000 - 7,000 miles between oil changes and not hurt a thing.
However, you cannot tell the quality of motor oil just by looking at it with the naked eye. The viscosity of the oil changes with the heating, cooling, etc. of the engine.
In simpler terms.......the oil may look clean but has no where near the lubrication factor needed to keep moving parts from wearing.

Answer 8

It's a marketing scheme......If you use synthetic or blend, you can go up to 7500 - 10000 miles between oil changes...It also does depend on your driving habits and age of your car....My current car comes with oil changes and the manufacturer recommends an oil change every 10000 miles with the use of synthetic oil.

I think they put this recommendation based on old cars - like from the 70s which did get oil dirtier sooner...with all the advancement of car technology, i believe it is very different now

Answer 9

ok i have seen a 2006 car go 15,000 miles without an oil change at the cost of an engine "the little light didn't go on they said" so i wouldnt risk it. i'd do it when the manufacturer recommends. the manufacturer wouldn't scheme anything they wouldnt be gettting money from a scheme like that so take care of your car after all its about 20 buck every 3 months not a whole lot of money.

Answer 10

There's no need to change the oil more often than a manufacturer recommends. Most such are way longer than 3000 these days.

Color is not a good way to tell. Oil suspends dirt and darker oil can still be good.

People have a lot of superstitions about oil.