Big oil, and Auto Industry in cahoots?

Question

I'm perplexed.
Why is it the auto manufacturers recommend changing engine oil, and transmission fluid every X,XXX miles.

Occasionaly I'll come across a question on YA about someone with a problem and they say "I just had my oil changed and now my car......."

I drive a 91 Chevy truck with over 211,000 miles on it and have NEVER changed transmission fluid, rarely change engine oil, and have never had ANY problems.

But as soon as someone has their engine oil or transmission fluid changed their car develops a problem.

What gives?? Do you REALY need to change fluid as much as the big auto companys say?

I figure, "If it aint' broke, don't fix it".

Answer 1

On those questions where someone said "I just had my oil changed and now my car....." did their car happen to have high mileage?
Waiting to long to change the fluid in your tranny it lets debris and metal build up, and that can keep it working ok for awhile. When you change it and put fresh fluid in (especially with a flush that removes all of the old fluid and any debris) the new fluid is too slippery, your transmission will start slipping. So that is one explaination. Also happens with coolant, wait too long and everything starts to rust and rot out, you may not notice any leaks until you flush it, which dislodges all the rust and rotted spots, leaving leaks. In these cases, the problems are already there, just aren't as noticeable yet. If it had all been maintained regularly, these problems would have never existed, so they wouldn't get worse by continuing maintenance.

As for having to do maintenance as often as they say...I don't know. I do seem to notice that well maintained vehicles are in better condition and last longer, but who knows what schedule they actually follow? I also notice that the people who soon have problems after finally perfoming some type of service to their vehicles are the ones that don't follow any schedule and rarely do anything. They don't seem to understand "Preventive maintenance" they only do it when they notice a problem, then get upset when the problem can't be fixed with a minor maintenance service.

As for your vehicle, you happen to have a great truck. Those old chevys seem to last forever and can take any beating you give them. Try it with a new vehicle and let's see how it works out.

Answer 2

Fluid change recommendation are derived from an engineering standpoint as a minimum requirement for longevity of the component be it engine, transmission, axle, power steering, brakes,etc... There's no telling how a consumer is going to use that vehicle, what conditions it will be driven in or extremes of operation, what leakage may occur under normal conditions or not so normal,will excess fuel get in the oil, will the additives break down over time, etc... Basically, they give out these guidelines to the general public to protect themselves from complaints..if they say change oil every 15,000 miles and a leak or problem happens at 10,000 miles, they've got a problem and as I said, they have no control over how the vehicle is used and don't want a lot of unhappy customers. I remember when plugs and coolant that lasted 100,000 miles were a big joke to people in the business but it gets customers thinking that there's no maintenance to do every year. If you drive a lot of highway miles and don't start your truck a lot, you probably can go 10,000 miles between oil changes...most engine wear occurs in the first few seconds after starting. Same thing with transmission...if you live in a dry area of the country and drive a lot of highway miles, there's no moisture buildup in the trans fluid which breaks it down (since trans fluid is hydroscopic and will attract moisture) and no overheating of the fluid. How about sealed balljoints and wheelbearings on newer cars...every car company is striving for no or low maintenance, weld the hood shut vehicles and may not be over-engineering enough to provide this. You're probably just one of those people whose driving habits tend to lean towards little or no maintenance being required...just feel lucky.
Haven't heard the term "cahoots" in a long time.

Answer 3

You know I'm not at all happy about bailing out the auto industry again. I don't' think a auto czar is going to do any good. What would do us good is a fuel czar. Someone committed to domestic drilling, energy innovation, and keeping the fuel prices to an affordable state. But yes. After all we've heard about oil companies making out like bandits. Yes, make them put up the money to keep them in business. Only because they are the ones causing them to go broke. I don't think our government has any business loaning out money rite now until start collecting back what Bush had already spent. Yes Oil companies are responsible for the auto loss and for our country recession And they should be forces to share the ungodly amount of money they made at our expence They should start with the oil companies the Bush family has had their hands in since Bush Sr. And if George Bush get's one red cent from any oil pay offs or bonuses. If any of George Bush get's one dime of the money I put in my gas tank over the last four years, I believe he should be taken out in the street and publicly slaughtered for treasen, and thievery. That's what I think

Answer 4

Well I'm surprised your vehicle still runs, you must be fibbing a bit about fluid changes, cause after that many miles on a tranny without changing the fluid it would be toast by now, unless you've replaced it already due to your lack of maintenance, and your engine would be the same way.

I'm glad you don't drive or maintain any of my vehicles, cause you would no longer be touching my cars.

Answer 5

Really good question ! ! ! ! Probably dont have your answer ,but lot will probably depend on your driving habits ! !
I've read lots of your answers to lots of questions ,, So all I can say is ,,, I got an 89 Probe with better than 1/4 million on her and had the trans reworked at 127000 mi . She still gives me 38mpg on the road !! ! and now the manufactures are bragging about 25 to 27 mpg ???
If you can answer this one then we'll find yours too ! ! !

Answer 6

In answer to the response from bill s.....I had a 97 s-10 4x4 that I never changed the tranny fluid in and never had a problem even as it rolled 216,000 miles.

Answer 7

Some people just change the filters and add what needed and then say they never had a problem.
It a hard answer, I change my oil regular while the car is under warranty. After take it give and take.