| With oil drain intervals fluctuating from low as 3,000 | | | | major brands that offer 15,000 miles drain intervals |
| miles all the way up to 25,000 miles it's easy to get | | | | suggest changing the motor oil at the manufacturer's |
| confused. Then throw in the normal and severe | | | | suggested intervals until the car is no longer covered |
| conditions it's very easy to get conflicting information. | | | | by a warranty. After your warranty is expired some oil |
| It is becoming more and more common for both oil and | | | | companies recommend going the full 15,000 miles. This |
| car manufacturers to suggest going well beyond the | | | | is rather silly, and no mechanic in his right mind would |
| old 3,000 mile drain interval that used to be considered | | | | tell you that your oil drain intervals should increase as |
| good practice. People are always skeptical of change | | | | your car gets older. If anything, the drain intervals |
| however, especially when the information is so very | | | | should be shorter on older vehicles, assuming that |
| conflicting. How is one to know who is right? Let's take | | | | inferior or questionable motor oil was used at some |
| a look at the facts so that you can decide for yourself. | | | | point. If it's okay to go 15,000 miles after the car has |
| Why We Change Motor Oil | | | | 36,000, 60,000, or even 100,000 miles on it, it stands to |
| It would help to understand why we change motor oil | | | | reason that those same drain intervals would be |
| at all. Motor oil is responsible for several things including | | | | suitable from the time your car is brand new and still |
| lubricating critical engine parts and to a certain extent, | | | | under warranty. |
| cooling the motor. There are numerous things going on | | | | It's Federal Law as dictated by the Magnusson Moss |
| inside your engine that deplete your additive package. | | | | Act for the car manufacturer to void your warranty |
| Constant exposure to moisture can shorten the life of | | | | for using oil with longer drain intervals unless they |
| your oil and begins to diminish the actual time in service. | | | | provide both the oil and the labor to change it, free of |
| Thus motor oil can be "worn out", so to speak. | | | | charge, so the warranty is not at issue. If the motor oil |
| How Oil Manufacturers Decide How Often The Oil | | | | is capable of protecting your car for longer, than your |
| Should Be Changed | | | | car does not benefit from changing it more often. You, |
| The most logical, and most honest way to determine | | | | who has to pay for the oil, certainly do not benefit |
| how often motor oil should be changed should be | | | | from spending more money. Oil manufacturers are in |
| based on the oil's ability to do its job: condition the seals | | | | business to turn a profit and any way they can they |
| and lubricate the engine. One company in particular | | | | will. Their oil change recommendations are geared |
| suggests drain intervals of 25,000 miles. That means | | | | towards maximizing profits and keep you coming back |
| this oil can resist the day to day punishment and still | | | | as often as possible. |
| effectively lubricate critical engine parts and provide | | | | There is nothing stopping you from going well past |
| the additives to keep your seals healthy for at least | | | | 3,000 miles on any motor oil that offers extended drain |
| that long. | | | | intervals right from the beginning. Or, if you're really |
| How Oil Manufacturers Make Extra Money | | | | looking to save some money, you could go with the oil |
| There are some companies, however, who seem to | | | | that recommends 25,000 mile intervals, regardless of |
| take a less scrupulous and more money grubbing | | | | the vehicle's mileage and warranty status. |
| approach at dictating drain intervals. Some of the | | | | |