Oil Change Question?

Question

I have an '06 Chevy Cobalt that has this oil-life feature. I drove it about 5000 miles since my last oil change and it said I still had 37% oil life left. My dad is of the opinion that oil absolutely needs to be changed every 3000 miles, or the engine is going to blow up the day after the warranty expires. Are cars just made to use oil longer than the ones my dad learned to work on, or should I still change it very 3000 miles?

Answer 1

Oil changes are inexpensive, especially when you compare it to a new engine or the cost of the car itself. You can do it yourself in 30 minutes or have someone do it for you. If it's still under warranty, it may be free at the dealership still.

Your dad may be exaggerating a bit, but what you also need to consider is that the owner's manual stipulates a certain mileage for oil change intervals. While some oils claim as much as 15,000 miles between oil changes, they aren't the ones who would be going against the owner's manual and manufacturer's recommendation...you would...in which case, if something happened to the engine and your oil was old and/or broken down enough to cause harm, you'd be liable for all repair costs and the warranty wouldn't cover it. So, it's cheap insurance. I personally do it every 2-3000 miles, and nothing more...it sure isn't going to harm it.

Answer 2

The oil life feature is just a mileage based system, based on the factory saying that you can go 7500 miles between oil changes. 37% of 7500 is about 5000!

I would recommend that you change the oil much more frequently. I have had very good luck with the 3000 mile/ 3 month rule. I run vehicles for several thousand miles without problems. Good clean oil is important for a motor to last.

Answer 3

Changing your oil every 3000 miles is a good idea if you have money to blow. It is, however, being very overprotective of your engine to change it every 3000 miles. Oils today are chemically superior to oils of 10 years ago, and engine design is also mechanically superior to engines of 10 years ago. Combine both of these facts, and it is difficult to reason that the oil still needs to be changed every 3000 miles. This is one of the many ways that car manufacturers and petroleum companies are working together to get people to spend more money on petroleum products. My vehicle currently has over 150000 miles on the original engine, and I change my oil around 4000-5000 miles. I change the oil when I get the opportunity. My previous vehicles have had 180000 and 130000 miles on them respectively. Both of these vehicles never had any engine problems (no lost compression, no smoking, no reduced fuel efficiency.) Changing the oil every 3000 miles will not hurt you vehicle, but changing it every 4000-5000 will not hurt the vehicle either in my experience.

Answer 4

I have been working on cars for a long time and chevy's most of all. the oil life feature works on engine load not milage. the engine load is determined by how you drive whether its highway or your idling or if you do alot of stop and go city driving. i have an 05 silverado and i went 6400 miles until i needed an oil change. if it makes you or your dad feel better doing it every 3000 then you can do it but you dont really have to. besides chevy's kick *** and they will never do you wrong. but also keep in mind that even though its a new car you should always keep checking your fluids to make sure their topped off and full. you definetly want it to last so treat it right.

Answer 5

Listen to your father. Change it every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. Oil is cheap, engines are not. If you do a lot of short trip driving your oil gets contaminated with water, acid, and all kinds of bad things. Although today's engines are better than the ones of even a few years ago, the car makers still think everybody drives in perfect conditions. Your driving habits, not some light on your dashboard should be the deciding factor when it comes to car care.

Answer 6

Tell Dad he is absolutely incorrect on this one. I have the
06 SS Chevy Malibu with the same feature and I have 53,000 miles on it. I've only changed my oil about 5 times. I check my oil all the time and the oil on the dipstick looks brand new even after 5000 miles.
Sorry dad, the way of old cars is.....well...gone.
Technology has taken over, I even have run-flat tires and a transmission that never needs tuning until after 100k miles.

Answer 7

There are alot of variables that combine to determine when your oil should be changed. The two most important are the accumulation of abrasive particulates (carbon/dirt), and acid formation.

Even though oil is a mineral, it is broken down by acid. Acid formation begins with moisture that doesn't evaporate off completely because of short trips. Once it forms a sludge, heat and sulphur (from the combustion process) change it into acid and the only way to get it out is to change the oil.

I know sythetic oils all say they don't need to be changed until hell freezes over, but you'll still have the build up of particulates that work like sandpaper to wear out the toleranced moving parts in your engine.

So. You have three choices:
1. Change your oil every 2 or 3,000 miles and get the maximum life possible out of your engine.
2. Change your oil twice a year, before summer put in a heavier oil, and before winter, put in a lighter oil. and your third choice is . . .
3. Buy a Frantz Oil Cleaner which takes out all the water, as well as more dirt out of your oil than your engine can make. The Frantz element (toilet paper) needs to be changed every 1,000 miles.

Answer 8

Though engines probably run more efficiently than in your dad's time, I would still change my oil at 3000 miles regardless of what some chinky electronic sensor reads. It's not really worth it to change your oil as rarely as you can. If you consistently change your oil every 3000 miles and take care of your car, the car will last for a decade easily.

Answer 9

On average you should change every 3000 miles. Take it to a service center and task the mechanic as well. It's not hurting your car by doing it it just costs more.

Answer 10

Many newer vehicles have a sensor that tracks how long it's been since the last oil change. The guys at the shop are supposed to be knowledgeable enough to know which vehicles have these, and to know how to reset them. Sadly, many of them don't know which vehicles have them, or, if they do know, they forget to reset them. Therefore, the sensor thinks the car is still using old oil and it turns on the oil change light.