The Oil Change: Rethinking 3000 Miles

When it comes to vehicle maintenance there are some misconceptions that need to be dispelled. There are a lot of things that people think they need to do or don't need to do to keep their car running well, but few categories are more maligned or more misinformed than the area of oil change. Most people do not fully understand what it is they are supposed to do for this type of preventative care and they simply do what they have always heard. While in some instances the standard conventional wisdom holds for most people, there is a better approach they can take to the continued good care of their vehicle.

First of all, the notion that an oil change must happen every three months is not entirely true. Some types of severe driving will put the kind of stress and strain on an automobile that will necessitate the use of such frequent lube jobs. Whereas once it may have been necessary or even recommended to have this sort of work done with such frequency a lot has changed. For one thing the chemistry of lubricants has advanced immensely. Also engine technology has gotten much better, and now far less damage occurs between services. The problem is that the industry recommendations have not changed and this causes people to spend countless dollars and send a deluge of waste petroleum in to the water and ground of the world. Instead, look at the owner's manual that came with the car. It will likely have a better recommendation for the needs of the automobile and not one created by the service industry.

Far more influential on the needs for oil change than a mileage or time constraint is the type of driving that is done. If lots of time is spent idling or driving under strain because of towing or heavy loads it is possible that the old adage holds true. The fact is, almost nobody in their daily life with their everyday vehicle puts the sort of wear and tear on it to require such frequent maintenance.

Having an oil change is undoubtedly a necessary and simple way to maintain and improve the performance of a car. Having this done on a regular schedule and by a qualified mechanic is absolutely critical to the continued successful operation of the car. So get it done and get it done regularly, but do not feel pressured to do it on the schedule that the tiny window sticker suggests. Instead go with the recommended mileage in the service manual and you will save money, time, and the environment while still providing adequate protection against corrosion and wear.