Save money on oil changes

[Jamesqf]

Ran across this link today: http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/stop-changing-your-oil.html?mktcat=maintenance-article&kw=stop+changing+your+oil&mktid=ob61762858&msite=w

Oil chemistry and engine technology have evolved tremendously in recent years, but you'd never know it from the quick-change behavior of American car owners. Driven by an outdated 3,000-mile oil change commandment, they are unnecessarily spending millions of dollars and spilling an ocean of contaminated waste oil.

[Jack]

A better title for that article would have been "Read The Fucking Manual" (the same as the classic advice given on Linux mailing lists) -- because although service intervals have been extended, they haven't been eliminated (nor are they the same for all cars).

[velocistar237]

I hit the time limit way before I hit the mileage limit. In that case, the extra expense of synthetic oil doesn't make sense. I suspect that's true for many people here.

[ketchup]

Yes, do read the [fine] manual.  Most newer cars specify an interval larger than 3,000 miles.  Key here is *most*.  My friend's 2009 Kia still says every 3,000 in the owner's manual, so he still follows that. Just read and follow your manual; don't blindly follow some sweeping recommendation, whether it's 3,000 or more.  If you want to get super fancy, there are oil analyses you can run to see how much "life" is left in your oil, and adjust your interval accordingly.

[Jack]

I hit the time limit way before I hit the mileage limit. In that case, the extra expense of synthetic oil doesn't make sense. I suspect that's true for many people here.

Certain cars (e.g. turbocharged ones) require synthetic oil regardless of the change interval, just because conventional can't withstand the conditions in the engine.

[chris009]

A better title for that article would have been "Read The Fucking Manual" (the same as the classic advice given on Linux mailing lists) -- because although service intervals have been extended, they haven't been eliminated (nor are they the same for all cars).

This is what I've always followed. It spells it out quite simply. I have 3000 additional km above what the lube places claim, and that's with non-synthetic oil. People need to understand when they say 3000 miles they're not necessarily wrong. If you idle your car a lot or live in an environment that tends to be much more dry and dusty, you'll need to get it done more often. Though the 3000 mile rule literally applies to a taxi or police cars and not the family car.

[kudy]

Am I mistaken in thinking I am fine going well over the time deadline? I usually go at the mileage recommended, and completely ignore the timeline.

[TomTX]

Am I mistaken in thinking I am fine going well over the time deadline? I usually go at the mileage recommended, and completely ignore the timeline.

Do you get a decently long drive at least once a week? Getting everything nice and hot gets any accumulated moisture boiled off.

[kudy]

Yes, I drive 14 miles to work a number of days each week.