The 3,000-mile oil change 'myth'

Growing up, most of us learned to religiously change our car's oil every 3,000 miles, says Alina Tugend in The New York Times. "But sometimes we need to throw aside our parents' good advice," and this is one of them. Consumer advocates and environmentalists are increasingly vocal about pointing out that newer cars can often go 10,000 miles between oil changes. Why has the "3,000-mile myth" persisted — and is it really a myth?

Where did the 3,000-mile rule come from?

Every 3,000 miles used to be "a good guideline," says Philip Reed at Edmunds.com — not to mention a quasi-mantra repeated by mechanics and parents. But people no longer need to "do what their dad did with his '55 Chevy," says Kristen Huff, a representative of the oil-testing service Blackstone Laboratories.

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What's changed?

Technology. In the past eight years or so, engine advances and oil-chemistry breakthroughs have made newer cars capable of going at least 7,500 miles, or even 15,000 miles, between changes.

Why hasn't the 3,000-mile rule kept pace?

Tradition and marketing. "The Jiffy Lubes of the world have done a good job convincing people" of the need for new oil every three months or 3,000 miles, says Honda spokesman Chris Martin. Also, "3,000 miles strikes a deep chord with the consumer," Edmunds' Reed says. "It feels good to get an oil change." Received wisdom is hard to shake, laments Susan Reimer in The Baltimore Sun: I've staked "my authority as family conscience" on "preaching the 3,000-mile doctrine... if I have been wrong about oil changes, what else have I been wrong about?"

What happens if you change the oil too infrequently?

"The oil becomes less effective as a lubricant," says Mark Huffman at the website Consumer Affairs, and "the engine parts can quickly wear out."

So, how often should I change my oil?

It depends on your car's age and make, and whether you primarily use it for short distances or longer hauls. With vehicles built before 2002, "you should probably stick with a 3,000 mile oil change," says Huffman. For later models, "Cars.com experts split the difference" between 3,000 and 10,000 miles, offering a "best estimate" of every 5,000 miles for the "vast majority" of cars. For model-specific advice, check your car's manual, or this chart created by California's waste management board.

Should I just ignore the oil-change reminder on my front windshield?

If you've done your research and think your car should go 7,500 miles between changes, "ask questions" when "the mechanic slaps on a [3,000 miles] sticker," says Alina Tugend in The Times. Be careful, though, says Anthony Gelinas at European Cars. The mechanic offering the "cheap change" at the "local quick lube" is probably being told to put in lesser-quality oil that needs to be changed more often. If you want to go 10,000 miles between changes, go to your dealer.

Sources: New York Times, Baltimore Sun, European Car, Consumer Affairs, UW Madison Post, CalRecycle