Is changing your car oil every 3000 miles necessary?

Question

or is this some quick get rich scheme/marketing ploy?

Answer 1

With the Newer Engines and Oils No! Now a days with the Newer Oils, in Most Cases, it's 4,000 to 6,000 Miles Depending on Mileage!

With the Older Engines and Higher Mileage it's 3,000 to 5,000 Miles with a Heavier Oil Sometimes and More Frequent Checks!

"Yes!" Before 3 & 3 (3,000 Miles or 3 Months, Which Ever Came First) but with the Advances in Engine & Oil Technolage That's All Changed.

Answer 2

Definitely not every 3,000 miles. But you need to use common sense. If you don't drive your car that much or don't drive it really hard, there's NO need to change the oil at the "recommended" intervals. Yes, it is kind of a ploy. I've driven old cars for months and months without ever checking the oil or even the oil level. That old car ('83 Honda) lasted me 8 years with no problems and I only lost it in an accident. I know I never kept the 3'000 miles rule. But one thing you need to know, when the oil gets really old it loses its viscosity and it becomes more like water than oil, which means it won't lubricate. That will ultimately cause the engine to be damaged in a very short time. So, you gotta make sure your oil doens't get that old - like tar.

Answer 3

You should change oil AND filter every three to six thousand miles. The problem with not doing it is that oil gets dirty, even with a filter and the combustion process contaminates the oil with acid. Let it go long enough and the filter clogs so there is no filtration of dirt and metal particles and the acid builds to the level that it eats away engine components leading to early engine failure. If you are having to add oil frequently then you either have a leaky gasket somewhere or the acid and dirt have worn components to the point that your engine is burning oil. If you see a bluish smoke coming from your exhaust you are burning oil.

Answer 4

3000 is a severe service or city driving interval. 5000 is good if you do all highway miles. Used engine oil collects carbon and acids that can eat your gaskets or cause oil not to get to critical parts.

Regular oil changes will keep any engine going longer. Its just common sense. If you dont want to keep the car for long or have a spare motor lying around dont change it.

If you run synthetic oil it can last 15,000 miles, but you still need to change the filter at regular intervals.

edit: you guys are wrong, newer engines run at higher rpms with tighter tolerances and more specific oiling needs. Todays engine oil is also pretty much the same as yesterdays.

Answer 5

Not really, it is from past history when filters were not so good and engines produced more "dirt" inside of the motor. Modern motors are much cleaner inside while running. Of coarse the oil manufacturers would like you to do change more often so they make more $$$. Follow you owners manual and/or change oil light on the dash. Synthetics can go longer than fossil oil. Be sure to check your oil regularly between changes!!

Answer 6

Nope... This was created by the marketing department at Jiffy Lube and quickly adopted by the rest of the industry. Think about it - engine technology is better and oil technology is better. So why do we change oil more now than we did 20 years ago. Check out all of the details in the link below

Answer 7

It is recommended by the manufacture of the car. Most cars are 3000k. mile. Honda and others are 5k. The get rich? Better look at the car makers again. they are already rich. This is from years and years of research and every auto mechanic out there. Not a ploy as you have indicated.

Answer 8

it depends on the driving you do,if its all local driving i change mine every5000 miles , country driving every 10000,oil does not break down like it did years ago but you still get very fine metal particals in the oil from wear and tear from the movement of metal parts so it pays to get rid of these bits of metal,most of these bits you could not see and do a filter every change.

Answer 9

absolutely. most people think that driving 15,000 or more miles a year is hard on the oil. exactly the opposite is true. it's the short trips that kill the engine.

Answer 10

no between 7000 and 10000 miles is ok