Is it true that you no longer have to change the oil in a vehicle every 3000 miles?

Question

I heard a story on a reputable radio station stating that with the newer engines and better oil, we no longer have to change the oil in a vehicle every 3000 miles. We have a 2002 Chevrolet Venture and always change the oil every 3000 miles. Should we change our ways???

Answer 1

I would ALWAYS change to oil EVERY 3,000 miles (5,000 kms.) regardless of the owner's manual states. This is why I own a '95 vehicle with over 350,000 kms. on it, NEVER having to have any engine work done!!! For the $26.00 to $30.00 it costs to have an oil change done, this is cheap insurance. A tank of gas for your 2002 Chevy Venture will cost you more than that!!! Something to watch out for on your particular vehicle is the intake gaskets. Apparently the GM 3.1/3.4L V6 engines are notorious for failing intake gaskets. Check with your local GM dealer to verify this information. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I recently acquired the same information. It suggested that newer cars with the newer refined oils change the oil about every 5000 miles. And I even read 7500 miles.

I have a 1988 Alfa Romeo Spider with only about 50,000 miles and use it mostly in urban areas at about 5000 miles a year, now I might go to that 5000 mile recommendation but the one thing that I would do is to at least change the filter every 3000 or so miles. That will supply better assurance against wear.

Most cars that have a wet sump have the filter high enough on the engine block so that the oil will not drain out when it is replaced.

Answer 3

It used to be 10,000 miles. You hear right, they are considering changing the intervals to a higher mileage. From my standpoint, it makes you wonder if 3,000 was ever really necessary or was it just to further line the pockets of the oil producers with our money. Engines had already improved and oils had too, supposedly, over the last many years. Isn't it odd that with the oil conflict and the rise is petroleum per barrel, that now we see the need to change. I have always waited until at least 30,000 miles before changing my oil. My 3 vehicles have never been in the shop for engine damage.

Answer 4

To get the maximum miles out of your vehicle you should continue to change your oil every 3000 miles unless your using synthetic oil, if you are then depending on the brand you can go 5000 - 10,000. I use Mobil 1 which they say can go longer than the 5000 but I still change it every 3000. One of our vehicles a GMC pick up has over 300,000 miles on it and I'd be willing to drive it from here (Tennessee) to California and not worry about any problems.

Answer 5

According to most manufacturers you only need to change the oil every 3000 miles if it is operated in severe conditons (80% of cars on the road). The rest they recommend 7500 miles. Alot of people however, feel that they are building better products so they are making less maintenance so that they fail just as soon as old cars. Remember they are in the business to sell you a new car not keep your old one running 300,000+ miles. I personally follow the severe maintenance schedule on all of my vehicles. Also, Chevy has a bullitain out not to use BP gasoline because it does't have the right additives for their injectors. The Venture is already bad on Intake leaks and Injectors so I would stray away from BP gas.

Answer 6

No it rather is not required. It relies upon on the producer's advice. it rather is not a ploy to sell greater oil adjustments. have you ever observed the cost of an oil exchange did not exchange, even nevertheless the gasoline expenditures skyrocketed? As an vehicle guarantee claims adjuster, i'm getting a good snicker while people deliver me handwritten oil exchange information 3 months to the date and precisely 3000 miles aside. they are greater appropriate in the event that they are in print and coach 5000 to 7500 miles aside, based on the vehicle. Alot of the european autos are cautioned to have oil replaced each and every 10,000 miles. it could have been a good theory to alter oil each and every 3000 miles on those older autos, or inspite of a greater cutting-edge vehicle with extreme miles, inspite of the undeniable fact that it particularly is now not the final rule of thumb. it rather is not remarkable to be certain maximum vendors manuals on greater cutting-edge autos, advise a 7500 mile oil exchange. The oil existence video reveal in the two my 2001 Montana and 2003 Silverado have been at 10% at 6000 miles, with the two vendors manuals recommending 7500 mile oil adjustments.

Answer 7

Follow the manufacturer's recommendation as given in your owners handbook. Most cars are 5,000 or 7,500 miles nowadays, unless driven in really nasty conditions, like the Sahara Desert. This 3,000 mile business is a conspiracy. Find the consumer reports study a few years ago, in which NY City Taxis were studied. They found oil just did not deteriorate, even after way past the recommended change interval. It's the non-leaded, detergent gasolines -. I get 200,000 miles or more on my engines and never do more than the manufacturer's max recommendation.

Answer 8

With oil changes it depend on how long you plan to keep the car. if you plan to keep a long time and want a minimum of problems an oil change every 3,000 miles is cheap insurance. Like The old adage goes, "pay now or pay latter"

Answer 9

It depends on the make, model, and year. Toyota for example now makes their cars, trucks, etc., with a 5,000 mile standard before an oil change occurs and it works very good.

Saves lots of money too!

Refer back to your owner manual; but, if your car is "used" to getting the oil change every 3k miles - I for one would be reluctant to change for sake of "preventive maintenance" and unforeseen things that occur with cars.