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I've heard it both ways:

Change the oil every 3,000 miles
Change the oil every 5,000 miles (or so) -- basically, not every 3,000 miles

Over the typical life of a car it might cost a few hundred dollars more changing the oil and filter an extra one or two times per year, and if it's indeed unnecessary, then there's no real reason to do it.

But is it? I'd think it would be more important to change the oil often in older cars, for example.

Is there any way to tell if 3,000 miles is too little in between changes?

flag	asked Nov 4 at 4:15 mbhunter♦♦ 2,584●1●2●11

Jesse Michelsen · Accepted Answer · 2009-11-08 22:36:40Z UTC

I've never actually checked on this but was told your car owners manual will tell you what the manufacture believes to be the correct number of miles between changes.

Personally, I have pretty much been the exclusive driver of my car, bought it brand new and can tell when she is in need of an oil change. I keep very close tabs on the way my car handles as well as gas mileage and can see the changes when the oil is getting close to the end of life. It's usually 6,000 miles between when my mileage drops a bit.

Hope that helps. Check your car manual or search online because I'm sure it's different for every car.

Frugallawyer · Answer 2 · 2009-11-04 06:14:48Z UTC

According to my ex-husband (who was a Honda Salesman), my car could go for 7,500 miles without an oil change. I find that the sales people tend to be more honest about how many oil changes are needed than the service people are. I still go every 7,500 and I have no issues. (As previously disclosed, I have a 2007 Accord.) (Okay, I was pushing 8,500 and the car was starting to get angry.)

I do think it is more often for older cars. Ex specifically told me that the newer cars were built to go for longer between oil changes and that most cars did not need anywhere close to every 3,000 miles.

Andy · Answer 3 · 2009-11-08 01:25:54Z UTC

Well; lots of permutation possible here. A common thread is the quality of the oil & the filter you are using. My diesel has over 500,000 on her, and my tercel has 318,000. Neither use oil, I run synthetic in the winter and a good quality standard "dino" oil in the summer. I also get a good filter (hint: pay more than $10 for it). I change the oil out every 5600. I arrived at that marker after years of experience, that tends to be the spot milage starts slipping (the diesel is 20 years old, and I've tracked every tank), the color of the oil starts changing... Running too long on a load of oil that's lost it's additives/lubricity doesn't make sense; not if you want to keep your car for a long time. Oil is cheaper than bearings.

Dogfood Provider · Answer 4 · 2009-12-19 01:46:59Z UTC

1

Whoa, Andy just went way over my head. I just confessed that I went 6,000 miles this last oil change. I never noticed a drop in mileage though. My brother the shadetree mechanic tells me every 5,000 miles is OK.

answered Dec 19 at 1:46

Dogfood Provider
419●7

BCGray · Answer 5 · 2010-01-02 01:47:39Z UTC

Actual tests have show that you should change your oil & Filter every three months, the same tests also showed that if you also changed the filter in between Oil & Filter changes you dramatically reduce the contaminants in your oil. It is the buildup of oil contaminants that cause wear in your engine. The three months is not mileage related, but is contaminant related for oil breaks down over time and its ability to handle contaminants is reduced. Expensive "Synthetic" oils fared no better than standard oils in all categories except heat capabilities, and were deemed redundant for Standard Auto engines.

** Wish I could quote the source of this long term study, but alas I can not put my fingers on it at this time

Is changing the oil every 3,000 miles simply a waste of money?

5 Answers