How come in North America, people are always getting oil changes for their vehicles? I'm in the UK and we dont

Question

So what's it all about?
I've never changed the oil in my car and have had it for 4 years from new. They are advertised all over Canada...and so I assume america too.

And I don't mean topping up the oil. Obviously we do that.

I AM NOT TRYING TO SKIMP its just noone does it over here!!! Over there garages even big department stores like walmart and canadian tire offer the service! i was wondering why we don;t offer it with as much gusto is all!!

Answer 1

oh oh you mean we don't have to change oil any more , boy are we dumb

Answer 2

I have a 96 ford taurus with a 3.0litre 6 cylinder and I change the oil once a year whether it needs it or not. I use synthetic 30 wt. It just turned 135K. It gets 20 mpg city and 31 mpg hyway. I dump 5 oz Acetone in the fuel tank before each fill up.

I don't know how the Oil Companies got the Automakers to put that in the warranty with the 3000 mile bit but as soon as mine was out of warranty I went back to the old way, once a year.

My son just sold a 1990 Pontiac with 235K and he does the same as me. The car was running great. He bought a pickup.

do what you gotta do.

Answer 3

Because in the United States, oil was always cheap. Things are changing now as oil is getting more expensive here as well as the UK. Oil doesn't wear out, but it does get dirty and this is what caused engine wear. The engines in the US and Canada are also bigger and use more gasoline. This also required more frequently oil changes (supposedly). As of right now, car makers are suggesting that oil should be changed every 7000 to 10,000 miles. The only thing that 3000 miles oil changes help are the people that do oil changes and sell oil.

Answer 4

I drive a 1983 Chevy pickup, with 160,000 miles on it. Had it since 1994, and I change the oil every 3 months, because I don't hardly even put 3000 miles on it in a year. And this is my daily driver! It's the nicest truck I've ever owned, and it never gives me any problems. Look inside the engine, and it's super clean. It doesn't cost that much to change the oil since I do it myself, so what does it matter. I personally believe thats what keeps it running great. Little things you do to your car can add up, and make it stay great, run great, and last long. I even changed the oil when I didn't drive it for a couple months because I've seen cars where condensation builds up in them, and that flushes that out then.

For the little amount that it costs.....I say change the oil. It's worth it, and it will keep your car lasting longer.

Answer 5

There are synthetic oils available that are quite expensive compared to crude oil, but it is not widely accepted because there are studies that show even though the oil itself doesn't break down for long periods the normal wear and tear on the engine continues to circulate with it. This obviously puts into question how effective the oil filter is and most are not made to last along with the synthetic oil life. Also they are easyily bypassed when they become saturated.

Regardless it would be nice to change the oil less but not at the cost of overall engine life. I can run anywhere from 300000 to 400000 on my vehicles with no oil burning. There are those that go more but in my case the body is what is falling apart. So for me the system works and the overall costs of multiple oil changes does not surpass the synthetic charges, even with the long time intervals between changes.

I am curious to know how many miles typcially accumilate on yours and people in your area.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

well if you had a car that was say 40,000.00 or more, bet you would take care of it then.

Neglecting your own car - to save 15.00, wow what a deal, I wont buy no more oil, I'll just keep buying new cars.

It is common sence to change your oil, it has nothing to do with what TV says, or what was done in the depression.

Sinthetic oil is no better than regular oil. You might have more problems running sinthetics unless your car is made for them(in Korea)

It's like swapping tires when the old is worn and no good, your oild breaks down and loosed its purpose after about 3000 miles, so it should be changed regularly.

Adding oil to it?? so it's burning oil - it's got 1 leg in the coffin already

Answer 7

I was not aware that people in the UK do not change motor oil like those in North America. Frequent oil changes insure that the myriad qualities of lubricants remain uncompromised regardless of environment or driving style. The base oil and additives do degenerate with age and use and should be refreshed. I assume that the relatively short travel distances and rather mild climate have allowed you to avoid oil changes apparently without damaging your engine. However, I would still change it frequently, even if you are the only one in your neighborhood doing so.

Answer 8

I live in Maine so I wouldn't cross a stateline because no states are north of Maine and only New Hampshire borders Maine to the south. If I drove north I would cross into Quebec Canada

Answer 9

I don't know all the reasons behind getting an oil change done every 3000 miles here in America, but I know one reason for sure. If you have a car that's under warranty, your warranty is null and void if you don't perform certain maintenance car during the warranty period. If you need repairs done that your warranty will cover, but cannot provide proof that you've kept up with what the auto manufacturer recommended as routine maintenance, they can refuse to cover the cost of repairs on the car.

Answer 10

oil needs to be changed because after a while it will be filled with tiny metal shavings from inside the motor, which are a result of normal operating wear. if you don't change the oil, this will cause more wear. also, the oil will break down due to exposure to high temperatures inside the engine and will turn to sludge. changing the oil allows the motor to last longer. it's usually done every 3000 miles.

Answer 11

I've wondered the same thing . My age lets me remember the 50's and we never changed oil then like we do now, and the oil is so much better now. Americans are a gullible lot and believe everything they hear on t.v.