I am old skool, I change mine every 3,000 and the DIC is usually between 45-50%. I know quality of oil has changed over the years, but still, I like to keep things clean and running smoothly so....to each his own I guess.I took automechanics in high school and thats what we were taught. I know with the synthetic oils, they say you can go longer, like the 10,000 mile range before changing it, but I have never been sold on the whole synthetic thing. JMO

 

I went straight into auto mechanics when I graduated High School in '75 so I know what you mean...... 3 months or 3000 was "law" and special break in procedures too. Things change though and if GM says I can go longer I figure, "why not"......

 

Being so young, it's odd, but I too am old school. 3k miles for me, and I even run synthetic. It doesn't hurt anything, so I figure why not. I love changing my oil anyways, I do it myself.

 

I used to be a 3000 mile guy but no more. I have learned the truth on todays oils and engines and know there is no need to change good oil.

There are rare condition you may want to change early but none in normal driving conditions.

I have better things to do with my money than to drain it away.

This is just another example where what we did 20 years ago no longer is the same on todays cars. People just do not realize that many things that once were true are no longer in play. Other items on the cars need to be used and serviced in different ways.

 

You couldn't have said it better. Do we still change spark plugs at 12,000mi intervals? I think not. I don't do the old school 3k oil changes with syn either.

 

Also, like this year I didn't even drive 10k in a year, so I still only do it 3 or 4 times a year for each car I own. Now if I drove 20k a year or more, it might be a different story.

Also like in my truck, I don't drive that often, and it's a lot of just stop and go city driving which is harder on a car, so I change that more often. If I changed it every 3k I would change it probably once every 3 years!

 

Well, I think I've heard that you're supposed to change your oil at least once a year, regardless of how many miles you put on. The oil breaks down after a while, even if you don't rack up the miles.

 

I'm on the 'once a year' program.. I don't put a lot of miles on mine anyhow,
1st pick is the bikes..
The oils don't break-down, but the additives do..

 

Old sckool.....guess you were also taught that tune ups were done every 3000 miles too...remember points? That way of thinking changed soon enough..why not oils?
OOooo..and good old bias tires and V belts and generator brushes...why is it only oil is still held on to........but these same people will cut and shave and skimp to get heating/cooling bills down at home to save money but not cut their oil changes to once or twice a year....why do people fuss so much over a vehicle that will probably get traded in/sold within 5 years...when the NEW flavor of the month rolls out?
Reality sucks.......but its still reality.

 

I had an old Chrysler that I paid $100 for, it had the 'continuous oil change' feature- just check and add as necessary. Probably went though 5 quarts every 3000 miles.