How often do you really need to change the oil in your car? Ask a lot of people that question and you will hear the number 3,000 thrown out. But that figure seems to come solely from car maintenance shops and motor oil companies. That’s like asking a fast food restaurant how much hamburger you need in your diet. Changing your oil too much wastes money and has a negative effect on overall resource consumption.
So what information can you trust? Here are a few good sources:
Your owner’s manual
The folks who made your car are going to have a pretty good idea of how to take care of it. While some older vehicles – say those from the 70s – may need fairly frequent oil changes, you’ll find that several more recent makes only suggest oil changes every 10,000 or 15,000 miles. And keep in mind that those 70s owner’s manuals were written at a time before motor oil improvements lead to longer effectiveness.
Your vehicle
Many newer vehicles have a computerized system that uses several factors to analyze when an oil change is needed. Listen to your car if it tells you it needs service.
Your conditions
The exception to the above guideposts is if your vehicle is forced to perform under “extreme” conditions. This can include stop-and-go driving, lots of idling, operating frequently in temperatures below 10 or above 90 or in extreme dryness or humidity or transporting heavy loads on a regular basis. If you are wondering if you fall into the category of extreme use, you can pay to have an oil analysis performed. For $20 or less, you can send a sample of your oil to a lab to have it tested for viscosity, impurities and other criteria. Yes it is an extra cost, but it can give a good measuring stick for how often you need to change your oil going forward. Spending a little now could save you a lot in the future.
Find Your Balance 