Why 3,000 mile oil changes?

Question

The owners manuals I've seen recommend oil changes every 7,500 miles. Furthermore, Consumer Reports did a study and was unable to see any appreciable difference in engine parts between 3,000 and 6,000 mile changes. Why does everyone suggest 3,000 when it can probably go longer?

Answer 1

The manufacturers recommendations are based on what THEY call "normal use" ... long trips, stable engine operating state.

But what the average driver calls "normal use" is running errands, short commutes, stop and go, revving and idling. This kind of driving is harder on engines and on the oil in them. It is the equivalent of what the manufacturer calls hard use.

Basically, unless you are a trucker putting mostly highway miles on your vehicle you should follow the recommendations for hard use rather than for normal use.

But that is the worst scenario, so oil changes between 3,000 miles and 6,000 miles are fine. Whether 3,000 or 6,000 is recommended for your driving style, it is just a recommendation. The more things related to hard driving that apply to you, the more often you should get an oil change.

Answer 2

Lets put it this way if you were able to change your oil every day your engine would never go bad... But oil is supposed to lubricate, cool and clean your engine... And after a long time those qualities in oil kinda fade away... If your oil isn't viscous enough then it won't let parts move without friction, and at that point it kinda turns into milk and it doesn't do anything at all very well... Just cause your car is really reliable doesn't mean that it won't just say I'm not gonna work for this guy anymore he doesn't change my oil man... Take care of your ride give it a oil change every 3 months or 3 thousand miles... Treat it right man..
Fully Synthetic oil does wonders, and it lasts longer then like 40 weight and 50 weight and so on and so forth...

Answer 3

motor oil does more than just lubricate engine parts. it also holds dirt and metal particles in suspension, along with antifoaming agents. oil becomes saturated with these contaminates due to engine wear, blowby gasses, and dirt and dust that makes it past the air filter. oil also becomes diluted from gasoline. the 7500mi.specfication is for "normal driving conditions" most vehicles do not operate under these conditions no short trips,starting and shutting off the engine before the engine reaches operating temperature (oil not water) and numerous other conditions. consumer reports used taxis for this test they start in the morning and run all day which gets them warm enough to burn off water, the gasoline and some other contaminates . also a side note if contaminated oil stays in an engine crankcase long enough it can become acidic and attack engine bearings and other metals in the engine. sorry for the long winded answer to a short question. there are even more reasons but these are the main ones hope this helps.

Answer 4

Only mechanics want you to change your oil every 3000 miles. You may have noticed that Jiffy Lube billboards say the 3000 number prominently. One reason: $$$$.

It's a big scam. 5000 is fine for almost any car. Time can be important, too. I would say 5000 or 1 year as a general rule of thumb.

I believe you can go even farther on synthetic oil.

Answer 5

a great number of people merely replace the oil with out the clear out. I run Amsoil finished synthetic in 2 of my motor vehicle and regulate it once a year. The oil and clear out are both rated as a lot as 25K miles, yet I merely placed on about 15-18K miles a year on both vehicles so it extremely works properly. I despatched some oil in for analysis many years in the past, it become after 7 months and that i had 9K miles on the oil. the outcomes suggested the oil become solid for yet another 16K miles (would might want to attempt back). As i do not placed the completed 25K on i do not problem about it. My Durango I run OE 5W30 that i regulate each 3K miles. i take advantage of a WIX clear out or perhaps via this is solid for 6K miles, i regulate it with the oil as I tow regularly and it provides me extra coverage. If i did not tow with it i'd save a similar oil and clear out on for a reliable 5K miles. you may continually purchase finished synthetic oil to bypass along with your next Mobil1 oil clear out and get your monies properly worth. paying for a synthetic fiber media oil clear out and replacing it out at 3K miles is a waste.

Answer 6

It is simply a matter of income. Change your oil filter and oil every 3,000 miles means twice as much income as changing it every 6,000 miles. I have a computerized oil change reading in my car and when the reading hits 20% it is usually about 6,500 miles. I change my il at 10% which is usually about 7,000 miles.

Answer 7

back in 1990 i saw a new 1989 ford pickup with 27,000 miles with the original oil in it. the engine was destroyed. the guy never changed the oil. he just had to change engines.

you're gonna buy metal or oil. either way you're gonna spend money.

i ran my 1990 ford f-250 479,000 miles and drove it to the shop for an engine sway. i overreved it more than once. 3000 mile oil changes!
my 99 ford diesel has 540,000 and runs strong.

Answer 8

I believe 3,000 miles..as they say is a "ballpark" figure for changing oil....but changing oil also depends on the driving you do..Is it all City (Lots of stop and go)..or a easy freeway driving...do you do City driving??...or out in the Desert or Mountain driving with lots of Dust and dirt.........

I use "Redline" 10-40 in my 1979 Chevy truck with a NAPA 1794
(Heavy duty) filter...I live in the High Desert of Nevada and do lots of Freeway driving...and "Redline" recommends a top of 18,000 miles
................no misprint here..18,000 miles...So I change my oil about every year..or about 12,000 miles......but....
"Redline" also costs about $8.00/Quart....but there are "Many benefits to using Synthetic oil

Answer 9

to be on the safe side and it is relatively CHEAP insurance

what happened if you an engine damage and you change oil too late after 6,000 milies. The warranty might not be honored and you are in trouble