I was reading an article on Old car myths. Here is part of an article that I read in a magazine:

This belief is due to brilliant advertising from the quick-lube industry. In fact, no vehicle sold since the mid-1960's has required such frequent oil changes. Manufacturers typically specify oil changes every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, with that interval increasing all the time. Most 2001 models have oil-change intervals of 10,000 miles. The reason? Electronic ignition, fuel injection, engine design, and clean fuels allow engine to run much longer without oil changes. Every owner's manual specifies oil type and change intervals, and no damage or excessive wear will occur if you follow those schedules.

I was just curious as to what people have to say about oil changes. I personally change mine every 3k.

Pat

oil change every 3K is cheap insurance. When I had my drag car it was every 2 passes, the motor was just to expencive to not do it.

My fiero has 100 thousand miles on it. doesn't burn oil and doesn't leak oil. It's had its oil changed every 5 thousand miles. it's last 40 thousand on a synthetic blend. My father always told me you can never change your oil to much...on the other hand I would agree that these quick lube places have everyone believing that your car will blow up if you don't change it every 3 thousand. 86se

I worked at jiffy lube and it's true, just about every manufacturer doesn't reccomend an oil change every 3,000 miles. 6,000 is what most go by. Yet to get your discount you had to have your car back for service within 500 miles of your last 3,000 mile oil change. They do put it in peoples heads that if you don't have it changed at every 3,000 you're going to do damage to your car. They just do it to get more money.

Depends on driving conditions. Short around town, highway, dusty roads, desert driving. Lousy conditions, more frequent oil changes.

Think about something for a second...

The people recommending the 6-10k mile oil change are the same ones who REPAIR/REPLACE YOUR CARS!

For synthetic I go 5k miles, with regular I go 3k.

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Jeff
'88 GT t-top 3.4
Baltimore, MD

There are people who say you should have a bowel movement every day, too, or your health will suffer. Mainly the laxative industry. Your health won't suffer, but you may be a little crankier!

I shoot for about 3000 miles because with the procrastination factor then I'm for sure changing before every 5000 miles.

Oil additives and the polymers that thicken the oil break down with use. Look at your oil at 3k and then at 5k. Looks a little darker at 5k. Why do you want to pump dirt and reduced lube capicity oil for an extra 2k. Changing oil and filter is a lot cheaper than changing an engine. I vote for 3k changes. It's about $30.00 more per year.

As long as everyone properly recycles their used oil...

Hah, yeah, recycle...

I use Castrol Full Synthetic in both my cars, I change it just before winter and just before spring. more if i put more that 10,000 miles. My 560 SL has almost 250,000 without tearing engine down or pulling heads. Still runs fine except for a little loose valve guides. My Fiero only has about 40,000 on it never ever uses a drop of oil and I run it hard.

Does dumping yours down the sewer count as recycling?? What about pouring it in a bucket and then throwing it in a dumpster?

lol j/k...

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Jeff
'88 GT t-top 3.4
Baltimore, MD

Guess I'll have to fill in the oil-dump hole in the yard

I generally shoot for 3,000 miles, but usually end up changing it around 3,500 or so...

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Mike -
Black 86.5 GT 5 Spd, 153,000 miles and some busted up ground f/x
Red 84 Sport Coupe - winter donut maker