I personally like using shorter oil change intervals. My '88 Escort has 517K+ miles on it. For the first 250-300K miles I used 3-4K mile change intervals (5K mile recommended) and it didn’t begin using any oil until around the 250K miles. As the motor began to use more oil at around 350-400K miles I did extend the change interval, because it was getting new oil added to the engine between changes so I assumed it was replenishing the oil additives in the oil. The engine is still running now with well over half million miles and currently uses a quart of oil about every 1K miles which is a significant amount of oil, but the car is old, the body and interior are in poor condition and not worth rebuilding the engine. I just make sure the oil level is kept in the safe range trying not to let it get below a half quart low and plan to drive it till it will no longer run. I currently change the oil/filter in it every 10K miles since it basically changes itself through topping off oil, but I would never allow my better cars that use no oil to go this distance between changes. Even the manufactures of most synthetics recommend changing the oil at manufacturer recommended intervals.
“Even though I hate to admit it, many things have improved from the good old days.”
Including you, Tridaq, no matter what Mrs. Tridaq says when you leave this web site up and walk away for a minute.
Triedaq left the computer logged in to this website again. He is an old dinasaur, and no doubt will become motor oil. I know it won’t be synthetic. My guess is that he will become good old dino 30 weight.
Mrs. Triedaq
You’re a hoot, Tridaq.
We’re not really disregarding the owner’s manual. The periodic maintenance recommended is in maximum timeframes. One can always do scheduled maintenance more often than specified, just not less often. Some of us feel more comfortable changing oil more often than the recommended period.
We do the maintenance required of the manual, but more often than required.
My 2005 Honda Accord (4-cyl) manual specifies 10,000 mile or 12-month oil and filter changes. No oil life indicator. Manual doesn’t specify any particular brand of oil, just the viscosity and ASTM/API grades (I use Castrol dino oil). The oil is pretty dark by the time I change it but doesn’t look any worse than my turbo Subaru that specifies 3750 mile intervals. Use a good quality filter and oil and do what the engineers say.
“My 2010 Honda Fit recommends changing the oil every 10,000 miles. Is this really the best way to take care of my car?”
It is a start. Remember that. oil changes are just one of many maintenance recommendations. Read the owner’s manual and use the list of maintenance items listed in the owner’s manual as a minimum. Generally you don’t need to do any more, but if you are driving in high dust, poor roads etc… You may need additional maintenance.
Good Luck
I’ve been in the industrial oil analysis business for a number of years. I currently hold an MLA II (Machinery Lubricant Analyst) certification form the ICML (International Council of Machinery Lubrication), and a CLS (Certified Lubrication Specialist) form the STLE (Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers). These groups are THE world wide authorities on machinery lubrication and analysis. Feel free to Google them.
I don’t say that to try to impress anyone, I’m just letting everyone know that I know what I’m talking about since I do this for a living.
It has been know and discussed for a very long time in the oil analysis business that the 3,000 mile oil change was one of the most successful advertising/propaganda campaigns in history. It is simply not necessary to change oil at such a short interval.
Everything is relevant of course, but generally, any car can go 7,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes (using a good quality oil under normal operating conditions) with no ill effects. Changing the oil before it has begun to degrade has NO positive effect on your engine. It just costs you money and time. I’m not talking about modern synthetic oils either. With synthetic oils you can push the miles out even further, much further.
Companies that operate fleets of diesel trucks change their oil based on analysis results not on odometer readings, and I can tell you they aren’t changing them every 3,000 miles. And trust me when I say that diesel engines are much harder on their oil than your mini van.
In industry it’s not uncommon for machines to run 24/7 for years before needing an oil change if the oil is properly cared for. Any oils biggest enemies are heat and moisture. If you can control those, the oil will last a very long time. An internal combustion engine just happens to be a very efficient oil dehydrator. They also have an excellent temperature regulating system. So the two biggest problems that lead to premature oil degradation are taken care of just by running the engine, provided that it’s in good working order.
It never ceases to amaze me how resistant people are to this idea. I share this information whenever I conduct classes on machinery lubrication and even after the class when I’ve explained all the reasons and described in detail the tests that we perform on oil, people still say they’ll stick with the 3,000 mile oil change “just to be sure”. It makes no sense.
They always ask me when I change my oil. I tell them that I shoot for 10,000. If I go over a few thousand, I don’t sweat it. But I use only they best (fully) synthetic oil available.
And don’t get me started on the subject of what is “legally” synthetic oil for advertising purposes and what is ACTUALLY synthetic. (Hint, until recently only ONE major oil company ACTUALLY made a FULLY synthetic motor oil. All others were better defined as “highly refined”), but that’s a subject for another day.
So have no fear. 10,000 miles is plenty soon enough to change your oil, particularly if the owners manual is telling you to do so. (Assuming your not subjecting the engine to unusual or harsh conditions.)
I hope this helps someone free themselves from the propaganda mill.
And how many miles do you average on your vehicles???
I have a 2009 Toyota RAV4 V-6 with about 33,000 miles on it that has a recommended oil change interval of 5000 miles or 6 months. I get the oil changed at whichever arrives first. I do notice that when I go to get the oil changed, that when I check the dipstick just before the change, the oil is still almost as clear as when it was fresh! Very little change in the appearance, but I still go ahead and do the oil change, since I would rather change the oil then the engine!
Of course, this car has a “Service Engine” light as a reminder to change the oil, so I kind of figure that Toyota is serious about the 5000 mile interval.
I used to be a firm believer in the 3000 miles or 3 months rule, but that was with older vehicles. Today’s engines are designed by the manufacturer to be able to run the longer periods of time and mileage before needing the oil changed. It is really important to check the oil level regularly, but if it is kept full, 10,000 miles is not bad for the engine.
So how many people who do a 10k mile oil change interval are keeping their vehicles past the 250k mile mark. And if so any problems?? Burning any oil???
I’d really like to hear.
Mike:
In all fairness, how many people buy a vehicle planning to keep it past 250k miles? I’d say a wild guess of less than 1% can’t be far from wrong.
True…but that’s what I do. I know I can keep a car running to 300k+ miles on 5k mile oil change intervals…Can it be done on a 10k mile change interval?? It’s a fair question. A person may not keep their vehicle that long…but what about the person who buys it after you sell it?? People are claiming that the 10k oil change is perfectly fine…That may be true…but I know of no-one who’s kept their vehicle long enough to satisfy my curiosity.
I know a guy who leases a new car every 2 years…Puts about 40k miles on it…and NEVER EVER changes his oil. In fact he doesn’t do anything as far as maintenance goes (unless something breaks which is rare). His oil change interval (or lack there of) is fine for his needs…I surely wouldn’t recommend it though…Would you???
“I don’t say that to try to impress anyone”
There’s nothing wrong with positive impressions.
With respect, Jotmo, the 3,000 mile oil change standard didn’t come from an advertising or propaganda campaign. It comes from many decades ago when engines ran a whole lot dirtier than they do now and oils and filters were of less quality and consistency than they are now, with fewer of the beneficial additives that oils now contain. Those of us that were around many decades ago still adhere to the philosophy that shorter times between oil changes can only do good and not harm, whereas going too long can do harm. So we “err” on the side of keeping the fluids fresh.
I’m an old timer. I’ll wait some years until 10,000 mile oil changes have been around for a decade or more before risking my engine by going to them. The empirical data just doesn’t yet exist to give me confidence.
Mike not only have i gone 10k+ miles between changes but my TB does not need any oil between changes and guess what oil I use? Regular old valvoline 5w30.
Been operating like this on daily drivers for many years. I had a Grand Am with 280k that didn’t use any oil either. Had the original clutch too. Got rid of it when the firewall sprung a leak and too lazy to fix it properly. I changed the oil religiously every spring 
No matter, oil use is poor indicator. Many new cars use oil.
I agree with the assertion it’s a good marketing ploy. Almost as good as diamonds for engagement rings propagated by the cartels back around the 50s…
Well, I’ve only been implementing my 10,000 mile practice for the last 10 years or so. Prior to that, I was just like everyone else and panicked if I went over 3,000 miles.
Since that time I’ve had relatively few vehicles.
First, a ’91 Suburban 2500 4x4 that I bought in 2000 that had 75k on it. It now has 172k and the only unexpected maintenance I’ve had to do was change the alternator and the brake master cylinder. Still runs great and is actually more reliable than my ’99 Honda Odyssey.
Also I’ve had a ’96 Ford escort for about four years. I don’t remember the miles, but I know it was over 100k, 120kish if I remember correctly. Only problem was front wheel bearings (both at the same time) for that one, otherwise, no other problems. I traded it for the next one, the Odyssey.
My ‘99 Odyssey I bought when it had 85k on it and it now has 162k. It had to have the transmission replaced last year at 155k. Not really a surprise for anyone who’s familiar with that particular vehicle.
I’ve had no end of problems with that one. Shorts in the wiring harness, bad ignition coils, bad EGR valve, power steering pump problems, power door problems (I eventually just took all the power door “guts” out. We just use them like regular van doors). It has left my family stranded on the side of the highway a few times (transmission), the last time 800+ miles from home.
I’ve spent more time and money on maintenance for this van in four years than I have on my Suburban in ten. Many times more. And after only ¾ the amount of miles. Let’s just say I’m less than impressed with the mythical “Honda Reliability”. Also with this van I did change the oil every 3000 miles for the first two years due to a warrantee I bought with it. (It ran out, of course, before the transmission died) and yes, I did change the transmission oil at the recommended time (120k).
I also have a ’04 Ford F-150 FX4 that I acquired about a year ago with 55k. It only has 85k now, so we still have a long way to go, but so far, no problems.
But that’s it. Not really enough data points to make a trend out of, but I know that 90% of the oil changes done every year are a waste of time.
I’ve seen the test results on many of those vehicles. Many times the oil is nearly indistinguishable from new oil. That is just not necessary.
How the 3000 mile oil change idea was started, I can’t say, but I know that it was perpetuated decades after everyone in the lubrication biz knew it was hogwash.
I can personally testify that the 3,000 mile recommendation goes back to the '50s, and I suspect it goes back much farther. You’re right that it’s long since obsolete, but there are still those who feel better doing it. And I support their right to do so.
As regards the new 10,000 mile recommendations, I’ll wait for more data. it’s probably perfectly safe, but I sleep better using a 5,000 mile periodicity.
Can’t see spending $30+K on a car and fudging on a $20 oil change
When the oil still tests good, there is no fudging involved. You made that up.
Please, everyone, read Jotmo’s posting. If you wish to change good oil because you don’t know any better, and think somehow it will be better for the motor, I will be the last to criticize you. This is in part for my political views. It’s your car and your money and no one’s business, a trivial example of personal liberty. But, when you try to push your own uninformed decision on others as the only correct one, that is just plain wrong.
My Sienna recommends 7,500 miles. I go around 8,000, with Mobil-1 EP and mostly highway driving.
Also, I do agree those who have never had the oil tested are guessing and hoping. In my case, I know the oil is still good at 8,800 miles, because I had it tested. You do not need to test it every time. Once you have learned what happens to your oil in your own driving patterns, in the different seasons, there is no need to retest every oil change, except over the very long term.
On the manufacturer’s recommendation, have you all worked for large corporations? I did, for over 30 years. Any recommendation like that is made as a complex calculation, based in part on statistical studies over a long period of time, with some marketing issues and at times incompetent management issues added in. For all I know, they even have the actuaries working on it.
That recommendation, along with the severe use modification, is based on averages. If you drive only in Death Valley during dust storms with a 4X4, the averages may not apply. Likewise if you mostly drive on the open highway, averages do not apply. (Except during warranty, of course, when the manual recommendations are part of the price you pay for your warranty.)
Also, they do not tell us their expected motor longevity, which would be relevant to a person doing what is best for his circumstances. Tom McCahill many years ago described a longevity curve, based on oil change frequency. There is no reason to doubt such a curve still exists, though today the curve will be much, much longer.
Their refusal to tell us the longevity factor they are using, really authorizes me to make my own decision, once the warranty expires, based on my own longevity desire and testing of my oil.
But, in any case, as long as the oil is still good on all parameters, there is no reduction in longevity. Those of you who have never had the oil tested simply do not know all the things that oil test can tell you, not only about your oil, but also about the condition of the motor.
I am going to bookmark Jotmo’s posting. It is mandatory when uninformed people start pontificating on oil changes.
I have forgotten to mention that at 8,800 miles Blackstone did NOT recommend it be changed yet, though I had already changed it at the time.