How often do you REALLY need to change your oil?

Question

I mean lubeit places say 3000 miles. Some say 5000 some 6. I have gone as much as 20000 but then my engine blew up so that was probably not a good idea. What do you think? Someone I know said 3000 miles is actually bad for an engine because it runs too clean

Answer 1

Depends. In older cars, just topping it off changes the oil. My dad did his old Chevy's like that and they lasted forever.

Answer 2

Why change oil/ filter? There are two reasons for changing engine oil and filter. The oil is dirty/contaminated, or the additive package in the oil (multi-viscosity or not) is used up.

When to change? You can not look at oil and determine either condition unless there is particulate matter or sludge present. And unless oil is subjected to extremely high temps and breaks down, the oil itself doesn’t really “go bad”. But the additive package does “go away” over time. So the correct interval is a guess. A rule of thumb is the greater percentage of “severe” conditions, the shorter the interval between changes. What’s severe? Heat of summer, very cold temps, stop/go driving, high engine loads; which is about everyone. What’s not severe? A vehicle that runs at near constant load for extended periods of time without stopping and starting. So you’ve got to decide.

My advice? Change oil and filter between 3,000 and 5,000 miles under really severe conditions and 5 – 7,500 if the engine’s being babied.

Viscosity? Multi-viscosity oils are probably better than years ago with the additive package lasting longer. But as the miles pile up, the viscosity range diminishes and eventually it’s a straight weight. 10W30 is probably the best all around; 10W40 if it’s really hot. But the more you try to stretch the viscosity the more problematic it becomes. 5W30 or 5W40 are used by OEMs for certification because they think they get better mileage during start up. But good lubricity just isn’t there.

Filter? Why would you change oil without changing the filter? Clean oil is dirty immediately when passed thru a filter with dirt and contaminants.

Synthetic oil? Go right ahead. But you have to change it at the same intervals. Remember it’s not the oil that’s bad. It’s the sulfur contaminants you must remove from the engine to keep damaging acids from forming.

Now you know. You decide.

Answer 3

Depends a little on how much city or highway driving, city being harder on your engine.
Norms are 4000 miles or 4 months with regular motor oils and varying numbers for synthetics.
What most people don't know about is the additives in the oil that break down over time and could cause deposits exceeding predetermined limits. Check into it.

Answer 4

I heard about this company who had a fleet on Vans and when new they drained the original factory crude oil and filled them all up with Mobil 1 synetnic oil. 85,000 miles later the lifter valley was full of a jelly like substance. They scooped everything out cleaned out the chrankcase checked everything out. There was no bad problems with wear the Mobil 1 held up. But what you really have to watch out for is dirt. Dirt finds its way in over time and gums up the works. So syn oil is more expensive but will give you that extra couple of thousand miles here and there. But its the dirt that will do the damage over time not mileage. Weight in these factors.

Answer 5

when your friend that said itd run to clean is an idiot, no such thing,fact is you cant change your engine oil too early,but too late is another matter entirely.look in your owners manual and go by their recommendation.most vehicles will have a 3k mile interval because theyre a smaller engine and the oil gets heated and used more frequently,this in turn wears the oil out faster,particularly if its conventional oil.synthetics tend to hold up longer under same conditions.thin oil like 5w20/5w30/10w30 absorb carbon into them selves very quickly and become contaminated.its the filter that cleans these contaminants back out ( thats why you should change your filter every time) if its in too long it can become acidic and start eating your engine.diesels tend to have a longer interval because of more oil, heavier oil, and a much larger oil filter

Answer 6

If you ask someone that has had cars that go for thousands of miles they will tell you 3000 miles (for non synthetic oil)or 5000 for synthetic. PERIOD! Oil changes and filter are cheap.PERIOD! Why wear out your engine early just to save a few bucks at Wal-Mart!
Besides your emission controls can be affected by running filthy oil (fuel mileage).Proper care of a car is an investment for your car's longevity -and a responsibility to the environment.
It sounds like your friend isn't real bright-don't listen to him!

Answer 7

personaly 5000,BUT you still have to check it once a month if new more often on older models,I think they went to 3000 because people dont check it like they used to ,while your at it check your tire pressure and when you check the oil, add washer fluid and your coolant, once a year put in an air filter twice if you drive on a lot of dirt roads common sense Merry Christmas

Answer 8

recommended by most manufactures is 3000 miles but remember that the oil change is probably the least expensive and most important maintenance you can do and the better you maintain your car the longer it Will last

Answer 9

Depends, I like to look at the dipstick to see if I can see thru the oil and how dark it is. Light brown but still see thru is ok. If it gets darker and harder to see thru than change it soon. Note the miles it takes to get to these conditions for future reference. Set a limit on how many miles to go before you must change oil no matter what it looks like.

Answer 10

my fleet averages 40 thousand miles each year I have 130 cars/vans buses from 4 passenger cars to 50 passenger buses.I have had good luck with 5k changes but my police cars that do allot of stop and go 3k is best.
ase tech