Oil Change by the Book Not By the Myth

The automobile industry has evolved and advanced tremendously even with each new decade on the calendar; however, consumers are reluctant to modify their opinion about recommended maintenance. The service industry uses all sorts of diagnostic technology that leaves old-school guessing games in the dust. However, a lot of misinformation still exists, especially concerning oil.

First and foremost, it seems that no one can give the three-thousand mile recommendation a break. In older cars, and several decades back, it was recommended that you change your oil every three-thousand miles. Today’s vehicles have different standards. You can trust your owner’s manual for suggestions of when you'll need to seek out an oil change, and while some drivers, perhaps those who drive in extreme conditions, may need to check the oil and perhaps get an oil change more often than others, the lowest recommended mileage for a fluid fix and maintenance is at about five-thousand miles. It will not hurt to be more proactive than that, but outside research, your owner’s manual, and even professionals will tell you that there is no need perform the task that frequently. Some drivers who are easier on their vehicles may even be able to go up to seventy-five hundred miles before the task is needed.

Another myth that is hanging around is one that falsely accuses color of being indicative of needed maintenance. It is the primary job of oil to clean the engine. It is a magnet for all grime, sludge, and dirt, so it stands to reason that it will get dirty. In fact, it gets dirty and changes color almost immediately as it courses through the engine. Stick to the manual. It is a much more accurate resources for the needs of your vehicle when it comes to changing the oil.

Your manual should help you categorize yourself into a driving category. Normal driving conditions for a vehicle describe cars driven mostly long distances without frequent stopping and going and without hitching or pulling equipment. These cars can go longer periods of time between changes. Those at the lower mileage end of the spectrum are those who engage what is sometimes called “city driving.” Frequent stopping and going, running errands, operating in dusty environments, and rarely driving for more than ten to twenty minutes at a time are all conditions that put a car into the more extreme end of the spectrum. Regular maintenance at three-thousand mile increments may not be that far of a stretch for vehicles operated primarily in these conditions, but five-thousand mile increments are probably more fitting of a suggestion.

Of course, you will want to take optimal care of your vehicle, and a regularly scheduled oil change is one of the most important things you can do to keep your car in great running condition. If you take the advice of manufacturers and car care specialists, you may be able to shave a few of these engine maintenance bills off of your annual budget without doing any harm to the running condition or longevity of your car’s life. So, when someone tries to tell you that all cars need an oil change every three-thousand miles, you can confidently say that this rule is fairly subjective and depends upon a number of variables before you zoom off in your well-maintained car.