Engine oil, how often do YOU change it? How often SHOULD you change it?
By nanajanet
@nanajanet (4436)
United States
December 12, 2008 2:15pm CST
I was given a set amount of miles and/or date to get my engine oil changed but I always stretched it out, because I would forget, and feel guilty about it. Now I am reading, due to the fact that oils are made with synthetic elements, that it is not necessary to change the oil as often as the mechanics would have us believe.
Read this article and tell me what you think
http://autos.aol.com/article/auto-repair/_a/engine-oil-101/20081210140009990001
I am sort of glad to hear this!
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
14 Dec 08
They still advise the old way, but actually I was told by a guy - back then, that the more often you change it, the better for the engine, so while you can streach it out longer then the recommended time it probably would do better for your engine to do it more frequently then you have to - so still going with close to the recommended times.
This man changed his oil and filter every 2,000 miles or 2 months and he had a truck with over a half a million miles.
2 people like this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
12 Nov 11
I will have to remember that. Having a brother, for a mechanic, I should know better, but he lives far away and I forget to ask him.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Dec 08
i'll say!! because look at all of us that wait a while because we either dont have the money right then or the time.
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
5 Dec 10
The proper answer to this question can be found it "THE OWNERS MANUAL." Read and follow what they say there. However, if you are using "SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS" they can go at least 5,000 miles between changes. Some, like Mobil-1, can safely be expected to go 10,000 miles between changes, provided you also change the oil filter at that time
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
14 Dec 08
I always leave the oil change to my mechanic when i take my car for an annual service. I am not gifted with my hands when it comes to cars.
2 people like this
@marty3888 (2355)
• Acme, Michigan
12 Dec 08
So am I! I had always heard 3 months or ten thousand miles. I hqve been known to stretch it out as much as 6 months. But no engine has ever blown up because I waited that long.
2 people like this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
12 Nov 11
Yes, I just did it, again, forgot to check my oil and almost ran out!
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
12 Dec 08
Not only that, but I know when I bought my new car last year they actually tell you it doesnt have to be done but every 5000 miles. I think that you can go longer. I mean how many people really change it at 3k anyway. They always go over some. Some people might not even change their oil. I would go with the 5K saves you money and that is what they are recommending now. You may want to check with your make and model of car though and see what the manufacturer recommends.
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