I'd been all over her about getting it done because I knew it had been forever since it had been changed. Every 3000 miles,right?

Guess how many miles it had been before my wife had hers changed this evening? 23,000! 23k! Guess what? All the oil was present and things looked fantastic. Guess when the next time she changes it is going to be? 23,000 miles from now. The car has 90k on it.

We live in the extreme heat of Texas summers and that oil was still just fine.

I've always pushed those limits. Remember having an oil change decades back after 8k miles and was told it looked like it had just been put in there.

Does anyone change the oil every 3k miles and if so why other than to not void warranty?

I change mine at about the intervals the manual suggests. For my current vehicle that is every 5k miles. I’m not worried about whether it goes a bit past.

Why? Mainly because I’ve always heard it was good practice. Since it is relatively cheap and easy to do I just never want to take a chance of speeding up the wear. I usually keep a car 10 - 12 years and have had anywhere from 150k - 230k when I’ve gotten rid of them. I change it myself and none of the vehicles I’ve had have oil that still looks new when I change it. Usually it’s quite a bit darker. Good to hear that yours still looks good after much longer.

LBlack14

Full synthetic. I guess she does wonders. I had no idea you could get 23k on an oil change. At 80 bucks per change we saved around 350 bucks. A 4-banger Mazda... I was concerned it might seize because I knew it had been a LONG time since it had a change. I think it was 2 years.

I'm sure someone will reply that irreperable damage was done to the engine so I really saved nothing and actually lost more than I gained but I don't know about that. Our little anecdotal experience suggests 23k is just fine.

Once upon a time I worked with this woman who told me she didn't know she really had to change her oil. FInally, after 12k miles she took her truck in and the oil was thick. I guess things were okay but I'd never forgotten that. Not sure how a 4 -cylinder driven in 100 degree heat a lot of the time went 23k miles without any warning light coming on, but she made it just fine.

I found this... I guess 10k is okay... (double it and add 3k and you're still good)

https://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/19/real-deal-regarding-synthetic-oil-change-intervals/

    We do our cars every 3000 miles. But in many cases that's over 6 months. Also, our mechanic checks everything out as well. So it's basically a checkup every 6 months or so. We keep our cars a long time. Just traded in our 19 year old Saturn (106,000 miles) for a new Kia Forte.

    My wife is taking it in this morning for a warranty checkup and we've only had it less than 6 months. I inherited her 10 year old Hyundai Elantra which has 66,000 miles on it. Having an oil change and check up every 6 months ( ~ 3K miles) or so has worked well for us.

    I get mine changed as called for. Full synthetic and I've NEVER paid $50+ for it. I coupon shop. I have 2 open recalls on this vehicle I bought in August and will have them addressed at the next change.

    My manual on my Toyota Tacoma says to change the oil every 7,500 miles and that is dinosaur oil. The dealer recommends 5,000 miles. My Highlander has synthetic oil and the dealer recommends changing at 10,000 mile intervals. With a good quality filter I think you can go well beyond the recommended intervals particularly with a pure synthetic oil.

    Here is an interesting article from Edmunds https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/tips-advice/stop-changing-your-oil.html

      My rule of thumb:
      Dino oil = every 3k
      Full syn = every 5k

      Considering the cost fora new engine or major engine repairs, it's best to change your oil at intervals that will not void the warranty.

        Toyota dealer gives me free oil changes for life. They use full synthetic and change it every 10K. Engine is guaranteed for life as well.

          I grew up with my old man preferring to change it at 2800 miles rather than 3100 if there was going to be any chance of it going over, he would stop everything and change it. I think that’s a product of the older oil and filters not being nearly as good as today’s.

          Me? I’m lazy. I check it every month or so, but I go somewhere in the neighborhood of 8k before I get thinking about it much. The cost of synthetic oil has gotten to the point where it’s cheaper most times to have it done than do it myself, so when I get in that range, I find time and have it knocked out. My truck has a oil life indicator built in, basically a fancy mileage counter if I had to guess, but it tells you when you should change it. I have been going with that and calling it good. That about 8500 miles. That damn thing takes 8 quarts though, so it’s not cheap.

          Rickochet I guess he didn't want you dickering with him every oil change to get it down to $12.

          My reputation preceded me. I tried to get the Highlander for $12. 😉

              The recommended interval on my BMW is 15,000 miles, although I try for 10k or so.

              Rickochet

              That article is EXACTLY the stuff I rail against. People scared into changing the oil when it's completely unnecessary but thinking that it is.

              Love the part that spoke to them preaching 3k miles to "keep the bays busy"... Yup. Way of the world. What's good for me may not be good for you but who cares! 😆

                meagain Exactly. My neighbor took his newer BMW in to the dealer for his free oil change. Was told that it was not time for the oil change, so he would have to pay for it. He told them he had 7500 miles on the engine now and oil should be changed. Was told that BMW recommends 15,000 between changes with their synthetic oil and any deviation would void the warranty. He said thank you very much and came home.

                  I go ~ 6k, full synthetic on my 08 Vibe, which is the same as a Matrix and has carolla engine/transmission. 130k and its just getting broken in! 6k = oil change and then tire rotate. I buy a decent filter that's meant to last longer.

                  The modern day engine with more precise machining,quality etc., and the vast improvement in
                  synthetic oils allow for longer intervals between oil changes....for the most part these ain't your
                  daddy's old cars!
                  Two Subaru's here and both go about 10,000 mi. between oil and filter changes.
                  Royal Purple and K&N filter for my Legacy,wife takes her Outback to the dealer.

                  FYI Fram oil filters are pure crap for anyone who uses them!😉

                  Start watching at about 10:30

                  • ode replied to this.