# Oil Change question **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 24, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809 "2008-06-24T22:22:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oldercarowner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eada6e/32.png) [@Oldercarowner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Oldercarowner)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809/1 "2008-06-24T22:22:27Z")
I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, have done all required maintenance yet I’m not driving the car as much as I used to. Most of the driving is city, not highway. I’m 3 months from my last oil change yet not close to the 3,000 mile mark. Since the car is older should I have it changed at the 3 month mark or wait until I get to 3,000 miles? Does it matter? I do check my oil on a regular basis and add any as needed. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809/2 "2008-06-24T22:26:44Z")
You can easily wait. As a matter of fact the owner’s manual for that car probably recommends an even longer interval, probably 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Go there for the definitive and correct answer. ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809/3 "2008-06-24T22:39:13Z")
3000-mile intervals are a thing of the past. Better lubricants and tighter emission controls allow everyone to go at least 5000 miles between oil changes. Switch to a twice-yearly schedule. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809/4 "2008-06-24T22:43:35Z")
Read the owner’s manual. It will tell you the proper time to change oil. It will be an either or thing. It is X miles or Y months, whichever comes first. NOTE: there is evidence that changing oil too often is not only a waste of oil, but it may reduce the life of your engine. 3,000 miles for a modern car, not being driven under severe conditions is more often than is needed. Back in the 1960’ (Yea I am that old) 3,000 miles was right, but not generally today. Read the owner’s manual and pay attention to the time/miles thing and the sever service note. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809/5 "2008-06-24T23:03:27Z")
You drive about 12,000 miles max./year from what you imply. As with the other posters, I would say that you can go longer between changes. I would go to the 3000 or more miles and forget about the months. Oils have vastly improved in terms of additives. For instance, retired folks who don’t drive much should change oil twice a year maximum. ---
**Author:** ![Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jeremy_r_hoyt/32/37_2.png) [@Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeremy_R_Hoyt)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-question/15809/6 "2008-06-25T03:09:50Z")
I change my oil every 3,000 miles, which is usually about every 8 months. If I drove less than 3,000 miles a year, I would probably change it once a year.