Is the 3,000-Mile Oil Change Necessary Or is it Just Marketing?

How often should you change the oil in your car?

If you automatically guess 3,000 miles you could be wrong.

When I was 16 and bought my first cool car, my dad taught me to change the oil every 3,000 miles, no matter what! He taught me that because my Grandfather taught him.

But is it really necessary?

I think that the "3,000 Mile Oil Change" theory made sense years ago, but with most recent cars, 5,000 miles is probably plenty. However, there are a few vehicles that may go as high as 12,000 miles between oil changes.

Many new cars have a technology where the car actually tells the driver when to change the oil.

Cars that currently have this variable/indicator light are GM, Honda and Chrysler.

And, recently I read about a company that is developing an oil-purifying technology that will push the oil-change interval to 30,000 miles! If their product comes to fruition, imagine the impact that this would have on the oil-change industry!

Believe it or not, Shell Lubricants, which owns the Quaker State and Pennzoil oil brands and operates the Jiffy Lube oil-change chain, long ago abandoned its corporate-wide 3,000-mile-oil-change message.

However, when I checked the Jiffy-Lube website, they now use an offer as a Bonus to receive FREE top-offs on motor oil or any other fluids for life if you change your oil every 3,000 miles!

Another marketing tactic!
It really does depend on the individual driver and how you use your vehicle! You are subjecting your vehicle to "severe driving conditions" if you do any of the following types of driving:

• Multiple short trips
• Stop and go driving
• Cold weather
• Hot weather
• Dusty conditions
• Tow trailers
• Heavy loads

Another thought, from an environmental perspective, is to look at the enormous amount of oil we could save by going from every 3,000 miles to say 5,000! There is no point in wasting precious oil changing it prematurely.

And, we wouldn't have to dispose of so much waste oil, either!

My friend Donna, who lives in Florida, does mostly freeway driving and prefers to change her oil every 3,000 miles.

There are two reasons for this:

First: Because of the extreme heat in Florida.

And Second: Being a single lady she likes to have the peace of mind knowing that her car has been checked out under the hood every 3,000 miles. During the oil change, she has the mechanic check her tires, breaks, hoses, belts, and other fluids.

And, let's face it; most of us have the best of intentions of getting our oil changed when it is due. But, how often do you decide it is time to change the oil and then put it off for another 1,000 miles or so?

The average oil change today is $25.00, or about $100.00 for 4 changes a year, since the average driver puts on 12,000 miles per year. That $100.00 is about what a tow bill is today if you have a break down because you didn't have your car looked over and make sure things are okay.

My suggestion would be to look at your owner's manual, and follow the Manufacturer's guide to best determine your oil-change interval. And, be sure to take into consideration, whether or not your vehicle is subject to severe driving conditions.

Happy motoring!