Oil change - 3 months or 3,000 miles?

[Medic005]

It normally takes me 5 months to put 3,000 miles on my VUE, so when should I change my oil? After 3 months or wait the 5 months when I put 3,000 miles on my Vue?

Thanks!

[Tom92SCm]

Wait until your OLM tells you to.

[bryanm326]

The oil life monitor is the best way. I just traded my 06 Vue in back in August with 25k on the clock, and I changed my oil 3 times. I have about 5800 miles on my 08 Vue and I'm thinking I can probably go to about 7500- 8000 before my first oil change. My service department manager thinks I'm out of my mind (he's still in 3K mode for oil changes, why not, his livelihood depends on it), but I'm just waiting for my oil life monitor to give me the signal.

[twosaturns]

The oil life monitor is the best way.

agreed.

3mo/3K is taking on an urban legend vibe. the only ones still abiding by it are oil change shops. MANY cars have recommended longer intervals for some time now; my '86 GTI had a 7500mi interval. and amsoil guarantees their oil to 25,000 miles or one year.

[spencerb]

You should change your oil when the owner's manual tell you to.

The 3mo/3,000 mile rule went away decades ago. The only people who still promote it are shops that profit from oil changes and older drivers who stick by the rule they learned when they started driving.

You are helping your pocketbook and the environment by following the manufacturer's recommendations.

When you read your manual it will probably tell you to go by the light or a certain time period (12 months maybe), whichever comes first. The oil life monitor doesn't count time, only driving conditions.

[cam]

Perhaps longer intervals are the rule. But is this because of better grade oils?
How do you know the dealer isn't using the cheapest possible grade which may not go the distance the owner's manual is claiming?

[spencerb]

Perhaps longer intervals are the rule. But is this because of better grade oils?
How do you know the dealer isn't using the cheapest possible grade which may not go the distance the owner's manual is claiming?
The oil life monitor assumes use of certified oil of the stated weight. If the oil meets the standards, then it is fine. You are free to use "better" oil, but as long as it meets the minimums, you are fine. The manual will state the required certification.

If a dealer or any service shop is using oil that does not meet the certifications they would potentially face a huge liability. I would find it very unlikely they are using unapproved oil. If you go to Autozone or Walmart I doubt you can even find oil that is not approved.

The longer intervals are due to better oils and better engineered engines. Oils maintain their protective properties longer, and engines have tighter tolerances that lead to less oil breakdown and contamination.

[Schultzy]

wow, i never use my OLM. 3,000 is the way to go. But when I buy my cars new I drive them to into the ground. Which is 10+ years.

And anyone who thinks no one follows 3,000 mile oil changes is crazy, anyone who i meet that actually cares about their car follows it.

[burnout]

And anyone who thinks no one follows 3,000 mile oil changes is crazy, anyone who i meet that actually cares about their car follows it.

...And should really get with the times.

3,000mi is excessively short whether its a brand new corvette or an old winter beater.

(Obviously only if the engine doesn't have any leaks/burning/sludge issues.)

[twosaturns]

wow, i never use my OLM. 3,000 is the way to go. But when I buy my cars new I drive them to into the ground. Which is 10+ years.

And anyone who thinks no one follows 3,000 mile oil changes is crazy, anyone who i meet that actually cares about their car follows it.

reminds me of the story of the guy who changed his oil EVERY DAY. see, he commuted into the city, and he would drop the car off every morning at the repair shop, get the oil changed, and pick it up after work. it was cheaper than paying for parking!

seriously, you can change your oil all you want, but 3K is just a waste of time and money. you should do yourself a favor and at 3K get an oil analysis done. see if there is anything wrong w/ the oil. you will then see that there is still plenty of life in it.
and it's not cool to infer we don't 'care' about our cars. it's because we DO care that we run the best oil we can and pay attention to things like this instead of just blindly following tradition.

[revue]

reminds me of the story of the guy who changed his oil EVERY DAY. see, he commuted into the city, and he would drop the car off every morning at the repair shop, get the oil changed, and pick it up after work. it was cheaper than paying for parking!

That's the funniest story I've heard in a long time!!

[pdough]

wow, i never use my OLM. 3,000 is the way to go. But when I buy my cars new I drive them to into the ground. Which is 10+ years.

And anyone who thinks no one follows 3,000 mile oil changes is crazy, anyone who i meet that actually cares about their car follows it.

I drive mine into the ground as well. So far, I have not killed a car by changing at 6-7000 mile intervals. My current Civic gets a change every 6000 since it is used mostly for suburban short trips. It has over 150,000 miles now and shows no signs of engine wear.

My Vue gets its change when the light tells me it needs it. This has been on average about every 7500-8000 miles with regular dino oil. I figure if I get 150,000 out of the motor, I can replace it with a low mileage motor from a junk yard since almost every small GM car uses the same 2.2l. If I change at 7500 miles and you change at 3000, I save almost $750 dollars using $25 dollar changes over a life of 150,000 miles. I also save more than a hundred quarts of oil...

[VTchemist]

I have found the advice of Tom and Ray of Car Talk to be pretty good. They suggest changing every 5K.

Exceptions occur for drivers operating their vehicles under "severe conditions". This would be lots of stop and go (urban) traffic, and use of the vehicle for lots of towing. In that case, the 3k rule would be the best to follow.

As posters have argued here, oils are better than they were 20 years ago. Engines are better too. But this betterment does necessarily equate to longer service intervals.

Problems with water in the oil (from seasonal changes) is another factor. Again, lots depends on the driver.

On a similar note, if you look at the small airplane industry, every 100 hours the engine gets a complete inspection/work.

If you consider a normal urban driver may average 30 mph over the 3000 mile period, you see the 100 hour interval popping up. Sure the engine is not at a constant 2000 rpm, but the accelaration/deacceleration does affect the oil quality.

So, the answer to your question is linked to how you drive. If you an easy or moderate driver, the OLM may be fine. I personally would not exceed 5K.

If you are a "severe" driver, the 3K rule may be for you.

Lot's of folks here have opinions. Some have very strong opinions...
Whatever you do, be consistent in your maintenance.

[spencerb]

So, the answer to your question is linked to how you drive. If you an easy or moderate driver, the OLM may be fine. I personally would not exceed 5K.

If you are a "severe" driver, the 3K rule may be for you.
The OLM takes into account how you drive. If you drive more "severe," such as towing or stop and go, it knows and will adjust the interval accordingly.

To me, following a set mileage interval is only a very rough guess. To say that 5K is good for anybody in any car with "normal" driving seems like a not-so-solid rule.

Also, too many people think they drive "severely" when in fact they don't. Some seem to think that since they pull a trailer for 5 miles a month or drive three days in 90 degree heat that they must change their oil at 3K.